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On this episode of 3 & Out, John Middlekauff opens up the mailbag to tackle some of the biggest conversations around the NFL.
John discusses the ongoing issues with early NFL kickoffs and why players, teams, and fans continue to debate the impact of scheduling on performance and viewership. He also dives into the Bears’ new stadium discussion and what the future could look like for one of the league’s iconic franchises.
Plus, a closer look at international travel in the NFL and how overseas games affect teams, preparation, and player recovery throughout the season.
John also breaks down the reality of tanking in the NFL—why it’s harder to pull off in football compared to other sports and whether teams actually benefit from trying to lose.
And with home-field advantage still playing a major role across the league, John explains why certain environments continue to matter more than others. He also discusses the importance of developing backup quarterbacks and why organizations that consistently build depth at the position give themselves a major edge.
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"Early Kickoff Problems, Bears Stadium Debate, Tanking & Backup QB Development | Mailbag" is an episode of 3 and Out with John Middlekauff. Runtime 1 hr 8 min. Published May 22, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.