The Dallas Cowboys Are Winning the NFC East (And Here's Why)

Ryan Fitzpatrick (0:00)

So, NFC East, who do we have winning?

Andrew Whitworth (0:03)

I'm definitely going Cowboys. How many times are we gonna talk about Dak Prescott having an unbelievable year and playing at a really high level, and not just give him some credit for, the dude's a damn good football player. Like, just honestly, you can do the whole, I'm gonna be like, oh, he's never won this, he's never done that. Like, I don't give a shit. You know what I see every regular season? This is what I know. When you start playing football, and you put the ball down on the ground, you say, hey, snap the football, let's play NFL football. This dude plays at a really fricking high level of football. Every year.

What's up, everybody? Big Whit, man, since Fitz and I sat down for the podcast, there's been some absolute crazy news out in Philadelphia. And I just wanted to take a chance to talk about it for a second, because first the Lane Johnson retiring news, and obviously Cam Jergens and the trade that they made with Baltimore.

But I really want to focus on Lane Johnson. I mean, you're talking about an absolute legend. 13 years, pro bowler, all pro, two Super Bowl rings, without a question the best right tackle of his generation. I don't know if any of that Eagles success happens over this time without that man in that locker room for really the warrior he was, the leader he was, and everything he was about. And I know playing that position for as long as I did till 40 years old. I know what he was going through week in and week out, just to be out on the football field with everybody.

I've always had a ton of respect for the way he went about his business and everything he did. And then I really think to years back when he decided to be vulnerable and share with the world a lot of the struggles that he had had with mental health and everything else to be who he wanted to be each and every day. And to make a choice every day to wake up and chase a better version of himself and deal with what we had to deal with was his anxiety and some of the things going on. And that all of us have those struggles sometimes and for some of us, they're bigger than others. And for him, he shared with the world what that was like. And I think the vulnerability of that and the power and strength it takes. This big, strapping, unbelievably impressive athlete shares with the world a weakness and I think that's something we can all respect. You know, when I sit there and think about the reasons that he's gonna step away, you know, to make sure he's the best version of himself or his family. To take care of those in his inner circle that he feel need the best version of him. And then to say that his teammates and the people in Philadelphia deserve 100% of his heart and effort.

The truth is, in the NFL, he could have easily coasted his way to the end of this season. But he was man enough again to do something just like he did when he shared his mental health struggle with us. Do the hard thing. And the hard thing was to be like, you know what, if I'm not giving the best version of me to something, then it's best for me to step away. And I think that is something we can all respect and have an appreciation for. So Lane Johnson, man, thank you for being a man. For being a man who we can look up to, a man that we can all have enjoyed watching you play and your impact on this game. And most importantly, just thank you for being you. So go take care of you and yours. I love you, brother. Always here for you when you need me. And man, you did it the right way. And you did it at the highest level, brother. You got nothing to look back and regret because you are without question. When people talk about destined to be a Hall of Famer, you are without question one. All the best to you and yours.

And I just wanted to update all you guys just on that situation and where my heart was on it. Obviously, we will get to all the other stuff, but I just want to take some time to honor a legend who deserves all the praise he should get for who he was for that organization for 13 years.

Peace.