Tom Green sits down with The Ringer’s senior NFL editor Lindsay Jones to unpack one of the most controversial Hall of Fame voting cycles in recent memory. Lindsay shares what it was like being in the room when Bill Belichick failed to receive enough support for induction and explains how the new voting structure may be reshaping the process. The conversation then shifts to Super Bowl week in Santa Clara, where Lindsay served as the AFC pool reporter, giving her rare, full-practice access to the Patriots. She details what she saw from Drake Maye, how Seattle’s defense under Mike Macdonald dictated the championship, and why the Patriots’ offensive line struggles ultimately decided the game. They also discuss Roger Goodell’s carefully managed press conference, questions surrounding league ownership, and how the Super Bowl halftime show played differently inside the stadium versus on television. Finally, the focus turns to the Denver Broncos — their cap flexibility, roster needs at wide receiver and tight end, the importance of Bo Nix’s development, and why this offseason could define the franchise’s next decade. A candid, insider look at power, politics, and football at the highest level. 00:00:02 – Intro: Sportswriting, newspapers, and modern media 00:02:22 – Super Bowl pool reporter access: full Patriots practices 00:04:03 – PR approval, independence, and working around team/league clearance 00:08:52 – Drake Maye’s Super Bowl performance breakdown 00:15:11 – Mike Macdonald’s defense and Seattle’s championship formula 00:18:28 – Russell Wilson trade fallout and Seattle’s reset 00:19:44 – Halftime show: inside the stadium vs. television broadcast 00:22:29 – Hall of Fame voting controversy: Belichick and Kraft reaction 00:24:56 – New Hall of Fame voting system explained (80% threshold) 00:28:20 – Transparency debate and Lindsay reveals her votes 00:30:50 – Owners, Epstein questions, and Goodell’s press conference 00:35:55 – The NFL grind: combine, networking, and nonstop calendar 00:38:06 – Broncos offseason outlook: cap space and roster priorities 00:48:58 – Lindsay’s journalism path and love of sportswriting 01:02:20 – State of sports media, layoffs, and Olympic coverage 01:07:17 – Life on the road: family, travel, and the emotional toll 01:08:50 – Outro and closing ‘After the Horn’ is sponsored in part by American Financing Visit: AmericanFinancing.net/Green NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well-qualified borrowers. Call 855-581-5828 for details about credit costs and terms, or visit AmericanFinancing.net/Green Furniture provided by Furniture Rowdenvermattress.furniturerow.com #AfterTheHorn #Broncos #DenverBroncos #NFLPlayoffs #BoNix #SeanPayton #DenverSports #americanfinancing #furniturerow
