Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated
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Four weeks can tell NFL fans plenty, even if the season still has miles remaining. Some preseason concerns already look legitimate. Meanwhile, several surprising teams have created reasons for optimism. The Pittsburgh Steelers reunited Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers hoping their history could produce one final successful run. However, that history includes plenty of friction. Dallas made an aggressive move for Joey Porter Jr., hoping he strengthens a struggling defense. He certainly helps, but one cornerback cannot repair everything. Meanwhile, Minnesota keeps winning despite an offense that rarely looks comfortable. Finally, the NFL coaching carousel could start spinning before Halloween arrives.
Steelers Are Stuck with the McCarthy-Rodgers Marriage
Pittsburgh currently sits at 2-2 following its 27-24 loss against Cleveland. However, the record does not represent Pittsburgh’s biggest concern. McCarthy and Rodgers had a heated sideline exchange during the Cleveland loss. Rodgers wanted the play call faster, and McCarthy responded with profanity. Television microphones caught everything. McCarthy later expressed regret about his language. He also said the pair discussed the situation several times afterward. Therefore, nobody should declare their relationship destroyed. Still, nobody should act surprised by the argument either. McCarthy coached Rodgers in Green Bay from 2006 through 2018. Together, they won Super Bowl XLV and produced years of winning football. However, their relationship deteriorated during their final seasons together. Former Packers center Jeff Saturday recently said their latest disagreement did not surprise him. Saturday played alongside Rodgers while McCarthy coached Green Bay.
That history makes Pittsburgh’s situation fascinating. The Steelers reunited two highly successful football personalities who have clashed before. Rodgers also enters this situation at 42 years old. Pittsburgh cannot realistically change quarterbacks and expect the same offensive ceiling. Likewise, changing coaches four games into McCarthy’s tenure make little sense. Therefore, Pittsburgh remains stuck with this marriage. Rodgers and McCarthy must make it work. They showed early promise during Pittsburgh’s Week 1 victory over Atlanta. Their reunion produced aggressive downfield passing and encouraging results. However, winning always makes relationships easier. Losing tests them. Pittsburgh will learn plenty about this reunion during the coming weeks.
Joey Porter Jr. Cannot Fix Everything in Dallas
Dallas needed defensive help, and Jerry Jones went shopping. The Cowboys acquired Joey Porter Jr. from Pittsburgh before Week 4. Dallas sent Pittsburgh a 2027 sixth rounder and 2028 second rounder. Porter immediately showed why Dallas wanted him. He played roughly half the defensive snaps against Houston. Moreover, C.J. Stroud targeted him only once in coverage. That target produced no completion. Those numbers should excite Cowboys fans. However, Porter cannot single-handedly transform Dallas into an elite defense. One cornerback control only one section of the field.
Dallas still needs consistent pressure, sound tackling and better communication across the entire defense. The Cowboys defeated Houston 34-30, but allowing 30 points still raises questions. Porter can remove certain receivers from games. That gives Dallas tremendous flexibility. However, opponents can attack linebackers, safeties and other corners. Therefore, Dallas should view Porter as an important piece instead of a miracle cure. The Cowboys improved their defense with the trade. They did not magically fix it.
Do Not Expect Minnesota to Simply Disappear
Minnesota might own the strangest undefeated record in football. The Vikings sit at 4-0 following Sunday’s 15-10 victory over Miami. However, their offense has hardly overwhelmed anyone. Minnesota has already won two games without scoring an offensive touchdown. That sounds impossible in today’s NFL. Still, winning ugly counts exactly like winning pretty. The Vikings have leaned heavily on defense and special teams. Meanwhile, quarterback Kyler Murray continues adjusting to Minnesota’s offense. Sunday finally provided some offensive optimism. Murray completed 12 of 13 fourth-quarter passes for 112 yards against Miami. Minnesota controlled possession for 14 of the final 15 minutes. That closing stretch matters.
Minnesota does not need an explosive offense every week. Instead, the Vikings need Murray to protect the football and convert crucial drives. Their defense can handle plenty of the remaining workload. Some people will keep waiting for Minnesota to fade. I would not count on it. A 4-0 team with excellent defense and special teams owns a sustainable formula. The offense must improve, especially after injuries along the offensive line. However, Minnesota has time to solve those problems. The Vikings are legitimate NFC North contenders.
Someone Could Lose His Job Before Halloween
Halloween falls after Week 8 this season. I would not bet on every NFL head coach surviving until then. Todd Bowles sits atop my list. Tampa Bay has started 0-4 after missing the playoffs last season. Bowles also changed much of his coaching staff during the offseason. Those moves increased the pressure on him. A recent fan poll placed Bowles clearly ahead among potential first firings. However, he has company. Jim Harbaugh faces mounting pressure after the Chargers opened 0-4. Los Angeles entered the season with playoff expectations. Instead, the Chargers remain winless entering Week 5. Matt LaFleur also deserves monitoring in Green Bay. The Packers improved to 2-2 by beating Tampa Bay.
However, questions remain about Green Bay’s ability to contend consistently. CBS Sports recently listed ten coaches whose job security deserves watching. That group included Bowles, Harbaugh and several other recognizable names. Aaron Glenn could eventually face questions if the Jets keep losing. Zac Taylor could also enter uncomfortable territory if Cincinnati slides. Dan Quinn and Nick Sirianni have appeared in broader hot-seat conversations as well. However, Bowles remains the obvious candidate right now. NFL owners rarely enjoy watching seasons disappear before November. Recent history also shows teams will make October changes. The first head-coaching firing came October 13 last season. The first change came October 8 the previous year. Therefore, predicting an NFL firing before Halloween hardly requires a wild imagination.
Four Weeks Have Already Changed the Conversation
The NFL never follows the preseason script. Pittsburgh hoped familiarity between McCarthy and Rodgers would create stability. Instead, their complicated history has already returned to the spotlight. Dallas believes Porter can strengthen its secondary. He can. However, expecting one player to repair an entire defense creates unrealistic expectations. Minnesota presents the opposite story. The Vikings keep winning without receiving much offensive production. Their defense and special teams have carried them through four weeks. Eventually, the offense must contribute more. Still, undefeated teams deserve respect until somebody proves otherwise. Finally, several coaches should start looking over their shoulders. Halloween remains more than three weeks away. For at least one NFL head coach, that could provide plenty of time for the phone to ring.
We all know all of these could change from week to week.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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