Zach Pereles
@zach-pereles.bsky.social
CBS Sports senior writer | CBS Sports HQ AM newsletter, NFL and college basketball | views my own | fan mail: [email protected]
Sam Darnold was a bust. Then a journeyman. Now a Super Bowl starter.
What can we learn from that? What can NFL teams learn from that? And who could be next? ⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sam...
What can we learn from that? What can NFL teams learn from that? And who could be next? ⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sam...
Sam Darnold's journey from NFL bust, to Super Bowl starter
Plus, are there any former top picks who could make a similar comeback?
www.cbssports.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Sam Darnold was a bust. Then a journeyman. Now a Super Bowl starter.
What can we learn from that? What can NFL teams learn from that? And who could be next? ⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sam...
What can we learn from that? What can NFL teams learn from that? And who could be next? ⬇️⬇️⬇️
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sam...
Some thoughts and takeaways on Jesse Minter's introductory press conference with the Ravens: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/rav...
Ravens introduce Jesse Minter: What we learned about new Baltimore coach's plans
Minter is succeeding John Harbaugh, who was fired after 18 seasons
www.cbssports.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Some thoughts and takeaways on Jesse Minter's introductory press conference with the Ravens: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/rav...
The Bills firing Sean McDermott is a risk.
The Bills promoting Brandon Beane is a mistake.
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bil...
The Bills promoting Brandon Beane is a mistake.
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bil...
Firing Sean McDermott is a risk. Promoting Brandon Beane is the real mistake.
Buffalo has many roster holes to fix and not many ways to fix them.
www.cbssports.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:13 PM
The Bills firing Sean McDermott is a risk.
The Bills promoting Brandon Beane is a mistake.
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bil...
The Bills promoting Brandon Beane is a mistake.
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bil...
I dove deep on Lamar Jackson, the Ravens and the relationship between the two as a huge game looms Sunday ... and a huge offseason looms (at some point) after that. www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lam...
What does future hold for Lamar Jackson and Ravens after topsy-turvy 2025?
Jackson, who represents himself in contract negotiations, has had a tough 2025. Will that affect his next deal?
www.cbssports.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:49 PM
I dove deep on Lamar Jackson, the Ravens and the relationship between the two as a huge game looms Sunday ... and a huge offseason looms (at some point) after that. www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lam...
Naughty or nice? I sorted NFL playoff teams into "pretenders" or "contenders" ahead of Christmas www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nau...
Naughty or nice? Sorting projected 2025 NFL playoff teams as Super Bowl pretenders or contenders
There will be 14 playoff teams, but how many can actually win it all?
www.cbssports.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Naughty or nice? I sorted NFL playoff teams into "pretenders" or "contenders" ahead of Christmas www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nau...
Drake Maye rescued the Patriots on Sunday Night Football. His teammates can vouch for that.
"I remember, I messed up on one, I was like 'Oh no!' and you see him make a throw and you're just like 'Oh yeah!'"
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dra...
"I remember, I messed up on one, I was like 'Oh no!' and you see him make a throw and you're just like 'Oh yeah!'"
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dra...
Drake Maye leads fourth-quarter Patriots comeback, solidifies MVP chances
Maye took over down the stretch and finished with 380 passing yards
www.cbssports.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Drake Maye rescued the Patriots on Sunday Night Football. His teammates can vouch for that.
"I remember, I messed up on one, I was like 'Oh no!' and you see him make a throw and you're just like 'Oh yeah!'"
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dra...
"I remember, I messed up on one, I was like 'Oh no!' and you see him make a throw and you're just like 'Oh yeah!'"
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/dra...
Garett Bolles on Bo Nix:
December 1, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Garett Bolles on Bo Nix:
The Jets have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.
It's probably not ending soon.
But Tuesday's moves were proof of a regime and organization willing to be patient, finally: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl...
It's probably not ending soon.
But Tuesday's moves were proof of a regime and organization willing to be patient, finally: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl...
NFL trade deadline: Jets have NFL's longest playoff drought, which just got longer but might be worth it
New York parted ways with stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams for Tuesday's haul
www.cbssports.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The Jets have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL.
It's probably not ending soon.
But Tuesday's moves were proof of a regime and organization willing to be patient, finally: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl...
It's probably not ending soon.
But Tuesday's moves were proof of a regime and organization willing to be patient, finally: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl...
I wrote about Jacoby Brissett being a much (MUCH) better fit for the Cardinals' offense two weeks ago, btw: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl...
NFL Week 7: Five things we liked and didn't like, including Jalen Hurts' career day, Giants' collapse
It was an ugly week for some of the NFL's worst teams
www.cbssports.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:42 PM
I wrote about Jacoby Brissett being a much (MUCH) better fit for the Cardinals' offense two weeks ago, btw: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl...
100 days until the Super Bowl!!!
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sup...
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sup...
100 days to Super Bowl LX: Top contenders, players and predictions
100 things to know as Super Bowl 60 gets closer and closer.
www.cbssports.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:35 PM
100 days until the Super Bowl!!!
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sup...
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sup...
Reposted by Zach Pereles
I wrote about what’s wrong with the #Commanders and why there aren’t easy answers: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wha...
What's wrong with Commanders? Why Washington is struggling and why turnaround might not be coming
There are no easy answers for Washington due to health, regression and roster weaknesses
www.cbssports.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I wrote about what’s wrong with the #Commanders and why there aren’t easy answers: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wha...
I wrote about what’s wrong with the #Commanders and why there aren’t easy answers: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wha...
What's wrong with Commanders? Why Washington is struggling and why turnaround might not be coming
There are no easy answers for Washington due to health, regression and roster weaknesses
www.cbssports.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I wrote about what’s wrong with the #Commanders and why there aren’t easy answers: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wha...
BAKER MAYFIELD FOR MVP (plus four other longshots) www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/202...
2025 NFL MVP odds: Why Baker Mayfield provides great value, plus four other long-shot options
Mayfield is +950 to win the league's top individual award
www.cbssports.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
BAKER MAYFIELD FOR MVP (plus four other longshots) www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/202...
Same old Chargers? The one thing ruining Justin Herbert's MVP case, L.A.'s hopes of deep playoff run
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sam...
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sam...
Same old Chargers? The one thing ruining Justin Herbert's MVP case, L.A.'s hopes of deep playoff run
The Chargers have lost two straight after a 3-0 start
www.cbssports.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Same old Chargers? The one thing ruining Justin Herbert's MVP case, L.A.'s hopes of deep playoff run
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sam...
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sam...
The #Commanders' 27-10 win over the Chargers was their largest road win against a team multiple games over .500 since 1983.
October 6, 2025 at 1:02 AM
The #Commanders' 27-10 win over the Chargers was their largest road win against a team multiple games over .500 since 1983.
Jayden Daniels and Justin Herbert have never faced one another in the NFL.
But they did meet in college. And it was a doozy. Revisiting Arizona State's 31-28 win over No. 6 Oregon in 2019: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jay...
But they did meet in college. And it was a doozy. Revisiting Arizona State's 31-28 win over No. 6 Oregon in 2019: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jay...
Jayden Daniels vs. Justin Herbert: Rematch six years in the making after Arizona State's wild win over Oregon
Daniels and Herbert have never met in the NFL, but they played a classic in Tempe in 2019
www.cbssports.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Jayden Daniels and Justin Herbert have never faced one another in the NFL.
But they did meet in college. And it was a doozy. Revisiting Arizona State's 31-28 win over No. 6 Oregon in 2019: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jay...
But they did meet in college. And it was a doozy. Revisiting Arizona State's 31-28 win over No. 6 Oregon in 2019: www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jay...
There are three winless NFL teams left. When will they get their first win?
(Or will they even get a win? 🫣)
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pre...
(Or will they even get a win? 🫣)
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pre...
Predicting when each winless NFL team will get its first win: Saints' breakthrough coming soon?
There are three winless teams left through four weeks
www.cbssports.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:50 PM
There are three winless NFL teams left. When will they get their first win?
(Or will they even get a win? 🫣)
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pre...
(Or will they even get a win? 🫣)
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/pre...
John Harbaugh said it perfectly: "We're just not a good enough football team yet."
The question is: Can the Ravens, battered and bruised and struggling, get there?
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wer...
The question is: Can the Ravens, battered and bruised and struggling, get there?
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wer...
'We're just not a good enough football team yet': Can Ravens' issues on both sides of the ball be fixed?
Baltimore is 1-3 for the first time since 2015
www.cbssports.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:51 AM
John Harbaugh said it perfectly: "We're just not a good enough football team yet."
The question is: Can the Ravens, battered and bruised and struggling, get there?
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wer...
The question is: Can the Ravens, battered and bruised and struggling, get there?
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wer...
The Chargers have the best odds to win the AFC West.
Does that mean they're the best bet, though? www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/afc...
Does that mean they're the best bet, though? www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/afc...
AFC West odds, best bets: Chargers emerge as favorites; do Chiefs have value?
Los Angeles is already two games ahead of its division rival and owns a head-to-head victory
www.cbssports.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The Chargers have the best odds to win the AFC West.
Does that mean they're the best bet, though? www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/afc...
Does that mean they're the best bet, though? www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/afc...
The Commanders have one of the NFL’s brightest young stars in Jayden Daniels.
They also have the NFL’s oldest roster… by a lot.
Can they thread the needle?
They also have the NFL’s oldest roster… by a lot.
Can they thread the needle?
With one of NFL's brightest young stars -- and its oldest roster -- Commanders hope to thread the needle
Jayden Daniels starred as a rookie and could be even better in his second year
www.cbssports.com
September 7, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The Commanders have one of the NFL’s brightest young stars in Jayden Daniels.
They also have the NFL’s oldest roster… by a lot.
Can they thread the needle?
They also have the NFL’s oldest roster… by a lot.
Can they thread the needle?
Some professional news this morning. I am super, super excited for what’s ahead with @cbssports.bsky.social!
August 29, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Some professional news this morning. I am super, super excited for what’s ahead with @cbssports.bsky.social!
The Chiefs were the least explosive offense in the entire NFL last year.
Patrick Mahomes has said he wants to bring big plays back.
Will it work?
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/can...
Patrick Mahomes has said he wants to bring big plays back.
Will it work?
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/can...
Can Chiefs get back to being high-powered? How Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice and others will fare
Kansas City has to rediscover its big-play abilities
www.cbssports.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The Chiefs were the least explosive offense in the entire NFL last year.
Patrick Mahomes has said he wants to bring big plays back.
Will it work?
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/can...
Patrick Mahomes has said he wants to bring big plays back.
Will it work?
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/can...
Spent a few days of training camp with the Ravens, who look very similar to last year … except in the secondary.
First-round rookie Malaki Starks says “I think it's going to be a beautiful story.” www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wit...
First-round rookie Malaki Starks says “I think it's going to be a beautiful story.” www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wit...
With returning stars, big-name additions, Ravens overhauled secondary hopes to produce bounce-back 2025
Baltimore made three significant additions around stars Kyle Hamilton and Marlon Humphrey
www.cbssports.com
August 22, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Spent a few days of training camp with the Ravens, who look very similar to last year … except in the secondary.
First-round rookie Malaki Starks says “I think it's going to be a beautiful story.” www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wit...
First-round rookie Malaki Starks says “I think it's going to be a beautiful story.” www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/wit...
🚨🚨🚨 New overtime rules are coming to the regular season 🚨🚨🚨
Spoke to coaches, players and former players -- plus looked at the numbers -- to determine what strategies teams may deploy:
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/new...
Spoke to coaches, players and former players -- plus looked at the numbers -- to determine what strategies teams may deploy:
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/new...
New NFL overtime rules coming to regular season: How will teams handle them? How should they?
The extra period will look very different from years past, and strategy matters way more than ever
www.cbssports.com
August 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
🚨🚨🚨 New overtime rules are coming to the regular season 🚨🚨🚨
Spoke to coaches, players and former players -- plus looked at the numbers -- to determine what strategies teams may deploy:
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/new...
Spoke to coaches, players and former players -- plus looked at the numbers -- to determine what strategies teams may deploy:
www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/new...
In 2022, Daniel Jones ranked ...
- 33rd (dead last) in explosive play rate
- 32nd in air yards per attempt
- 24th in yards per attempt
- 5th in play action rate
Very much a training wheels passing offense. Seems like it'll be the same in Indianapolis.
- 33rd (dead last) in explosive play rate
- 32nd in air yards per attempt
- 24th in yards per attempt
- 5th in play action rate
Very much a training wheels passing offense. Seems like it'll be the same in Indianapolis.
starting a QB based on a season he had three years ago seems like bad process
August 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
In 2022, Daniel Jones ranked ...
- 33rd (dead last) in explosive play rate
- 32nd in air yards per attempt
- 24th in yards per attempt
- 5th in play action rate
Very much a training wheels passing offense. Seems like it'll be the same in Indianapolis.
- 33rd (dead last) in explosive play rate
- 32nd in air yards per attempt
- 24th in yards per attempt
- 5th in play action rate
Very much a training wheels passing offense. Seems like it'll be the same in Indianapolis.