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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Ray Ratto

Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

Kyle Shanahan And The 49ers Are Not Entitled To Anyone’s Trust

David Roth

Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers prepares to take the snap of the ball at the line of scrimmage during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Making Noises At Jim Nantz, With Aaron Schatz

A kebab is prepared in the Elbis-Döner restaurant at Berliner Straße 2 in Wilmersdorf. It looks good as hell.

Podcasts

Kebab Juice On The Windowpane, With Rohan Nadkarni

Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts on the sideline in the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 21, 2025.

Maxx Crosby Is Back In Football Purgatory

Owner Michael Bidwill of the Arizona Cardinals speaks during a press conference introducing new head coach Mike LaFleur on February 3, 2026. He's kind of making an "ehhh" face.

The NFLPA Player Survey That Owners Hate Was Never Going To Stay Secret

Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 to win Super Bowl LX. He is kind of making "the Sam Darnold Face" while confetti falls behind him.

Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl Tax Bill Is A Total Write-Off

Lauren Theisen

Santa Clara, CA - February 8: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye loses the ball in the fourth quarter. The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks played in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026.

What An Unbelievable Fourth Quarter From Drake Maye!

Robert Kraft puts his arm around former Patriots coach Bill Belichick at the end of a media availability on January 11, 2024.

Two Sourpusses Missing Out On The Hall Of Fame Is The Most Uplifting Story Of Super Bowl Week

Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels gives a thumbs up during the ACC Football Kickoff at Hilton Charlotte Uptown on July 24, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. He looks real weird doing it.

Bill Belichick Becomes The Target Of Someone Else’s Pettiness, For A Change

Denver, CO - January 25: Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham throws a backward pass in the second quarter. The New England Patriots played the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High on January 25, 2026.

Jarrett Stidham Dropped The Ball

Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks whoots enthusiastically following an NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

Sam Darnold Is An Exorcist

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Patriots And Broncos Stink On Ice

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (R) and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi talk between sets during their workout on January 15, 2026 in Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia.

Ideologically Opposed To Proper Workout Form, With Patrick Wyman

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on from the sideline during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.

There’s No Such Thing As A Secure NFL Coaching Job

Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field At Mile High

Broncos Fans Have Six Days To Talk Themselves Into Jarrett Stidham

Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears throws the ball during an NFL divisional playoff football game on January 18, 2026 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

The Bears’ Final Magic Trick Was Almost Enough

Head coach Pete Carroll of the Las Vegas Raiders speaks with Atonio Mafi #56 prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 4. The Raiders actually won this one but fired Carroll shortly after.

That Is Way Too Much Raiders, With Kalyn Kahler

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh walks the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 4, 2026. He was fired two days after the Ravens lost.

John Harbaugh Is The Shiniest Pony On The NFL Coaching Carousel

Philip Rivers Had A Grand Old Time Leading The Colts Into Their Grave

San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy celebrates his 2nd quarter rushing touchdown against Chicago Bears on December 28, 2025. He's doing the cupped-ear "let me hear it" gesture into a TV camera's lens.

Brock Purdy Refuses To Remain Anonymous

Philip Rivers of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates his touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks on December 14, 2025. That's like five years after his last NFL game.

Philip Rivers Is Like A 44-Year-Old Kid Out There

Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears walks off the field after a loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 7, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

All Things Must Pass, With Matthew Coller

Philip Rivers in a Colts uniform, from 2020

Colts Audition Philip Rivers In Possible Act Of Elder Abuse

Tom Ley

Daiyan Henley #0 of the Los Angeles Chargers at hits Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles as he throws during the second quarter SoFi Stadium on December 08, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

Jalen Hurts Won The Disaster Contest

Keyshawn Johnson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during a NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on September 15, 2002. He's kind of smirking a bit.

Football