The Daily Play With Joy Taylor

Joy Taylor previews key NFL storylines on The Daily Play: Patrick Mahomes says he’s on track to be 100% for Week 1 after last season ended with an ACL tear, and Taylor expects Kansas City to return to the playoffs while discussing fans’ mixed feelings about dynasties. She also looks at the Jets under defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn, highlighting offensive coordinator Frank Reic...

Joy Taylor previews the NFL regular season starting in two weeks, noting a Super Bowl rematch on Wednesday, Sept. 9 because Rams–49ers will play the first NFL game in Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10. Citing ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, she discusses playoff teams most likely to decline in 2026 (Bears, Panthers, Broncos, Jaguars, Patriots), saying she trusts Denver and New England to remain pl...

Joy Taylor discusses Browns coach Todd Monken naming Deshaun Watson the Week 1 starter despite Watson’s backlash over criticizing fans for booing and his limited on-field results since 2022; Watson later says emotions got the best of him, while Taylor argues Cleveland is driven by money and politics, notes Watson’s preseason stat line (11-of-15, 126 yards, lost fumble), 9–10 reco...

Joy Taylor breaks down a bizarre Browns development as Cleveland waives tight end Daquan Wright so he can return to college and play for LSU after a temporary restraining order allowed certain athletes another season; Wright, previously an undrafted free agent signed by the Eagles and claimed by the Browns, is believed to be the first to return to college after signing with an NFL team. She also r...

Joy Taylor covers James Harden’s new three-year, $97 million contract to return to the Cavaliers, which helped Cleveland get under the aprons and facilitated a five-team deal bringing Peyton Watson to the Cavs while moving Max Strus to the Clippers and sending future picks (including a 2031 first and a 2032 second via the Kings) to the Nuggets; she notes Harden’s recruiting role, his c...

Joy Taylor opens with a training camp injury roundup impacting fantasy and betting: Alvin Kamara has an MCL injury expected to sideline him at least a month; Colts target Tyler Warren suffered a groin injury with no severity update; Texans WR Jaden Higgins tore his ACL and is out for the season, increasing reliance on Xavier Hutchinson, Tank Dell, and Jalen Noel; Chargers center Tyler Biadich suff...

Joy Taylor discusses a quote from Elle Duncan calling the WNBA “the most toxic place to cover,” agreeing that current discourse has become frustrated, hijacked by unserious narratives, and fueled by misogynistic and homophobic talking points—especially a “non-issue” debate about trans women in the league. She also pushes back on exaggerated pre-draft claims that Caitl...

Joy Taylor breaks down Tua Tagovailoa’s preseason debut with the Falcons after leaving Miami, noting he went 3-for-5 for 22 yards as Atlanta’s offense managed one first down on his two opening drives in a 27–7 loss to the Broncos. With Tua in a QB battle with Michael Penix Jr. (still recovering from an ACL and not cleared for 11-on-11), Taylor calls the situation messy and critiq...

Joy Taylor discusses how WNBA on-court play is being overshadowed by off-court controversy, highlighting Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White’s emphatic defense of her players after criticism tied to a flagrant foul incident involving Sophie Cunningham and comments about an online community creating false narratives; Caitlin Clark and teammates Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston also address f...

Joy Taylor breaks down reports that Dodgers owner Mark Walter, who bought the Lakers from the Buss family for $10 billion last summer, is now selling the franchise for a record $12.5 billion to Bob Iger and investor Josh Kushner, pending NBA Board of Governors approval in September; she notes Walter is under federal investigation and discusses the potential ripple effects for the Lakers and a poss...

Joy Taylor breaks down early depth-chart clarity around the league, starting with Kyler Murray being named the Vikings’ starter over 2024 top-10 pick J.J. McCarthy and what that decision could mean for McCarthy’s future. She also previews the Raiders’ first preseason look at rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, including why Las Vegas may benefit from bringing him along behind Ki...

Joy Taylor discusses the Cowboys signing defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to a three-year, $105.9 million extension after acquiring him at last year’s trade deadline, noting his production in Dallas, overall career résumé, and ongoing questions about the team’s identity following Micah Parsons’ exit and continued postseason shortcomings. She then reviews ESPN&rsquo...

Joy Taylor recaps a physical Fever-Sky game in Chicago where Indiana won 90–86, Caitlin Clark’s eighth technical for contact with a referee was rescinded to avoid suspension, and Sky player Dijonai Carrington was ejected after her flagrant on Sophie Cunningham was upgraded to a flagrant two, later posting “White privilege” and tagging the Fever. Taylor discusses how Cunning...

Joy Taylor welcomes listeners back as football returns with the Hall of Fame Game, where the Panthers beat the Cardinals 33–30 on a last-second runoff touchdown by Haynes King after a slow start and a second-quarter stretch of six straight scoring drives. She highlights rookie Carson Beck’s solid first start (15-of-19, three scoring drives) while noting preseason results matter less th...

Joy Taylor kicks off The Daily Play celebrating the NFL’s return with the Hall of Fame Game, reflecting on the Hall of Fame experience and noting the Class of 2026 headlined by Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Adam Vinatieri, Larry Fitzgerald, and Luke Kuechly. She previews Cardinals vs. Panthers coaching and quarterback plans, including Carolina starting Kenny Pickett over Bryce Young and...

Joy Taylor reacts to Aaron Rodgers’ appearance on Pat McAfee where he criticized Anthony Fauci, invoked pleading the fifth, and oddly referenced the Vrabel-Ruzzini scandal, arguing it distracts from football and forces Steelers teammates to address non-football controversy; she notes the Steelers’ statement that players hold differing personal views. She then discusses Kevin Durant def...

Joy Taylor discusses the Senate’s potential progress on the bipartisan Project College Sports Act, noting reported momentum with Big Ten and SEC support but uncertainty about whether it reaches a full vote before the month-long recess; she criticizes the bill’s vague, sweeping approach to regulating NIL, transfers, and a salary cap, arguing government limits could ultimately cap what a...

Joy Taylor covers three top stories: the Sparks trading WNBA champion Kelsey Plum (out since June 21 with a lower leg injury) to the Phoenix Mercury for Monique Ekaja Makoni plus a 2027 first-round pick and 2028 second rounder, a move she says makes sense for struggling L.A. (10–17, six-game skid) but is risky for Phoenix given Plum’s expiring deal and impending free agency. She reacts...

Joy Taylor discusses Baker Mayfield publicly criticizing the Buccaneers’ contract negotiations as he enters the final year of his deal, saying no appealing offer was presented and warning it will only get more expensive if he has a big season; Taylor calls him a franchise quarterback and questions Tampa Bay’s lack of urgency given the thin QB market. She then covers a viral video of An...

Joy Taylor discusses Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers failing to reach a long-term deal, with Mayfield seeking a contract that matches his performance and noting he isn’t worried about a potential franchise tag in 2027; Taylor questions why Tampa Bay hasn’t locked in a proven starter, especially with other team frustrations like Vita Vea requesting a trade. She then shifts to the Atla...

Joy Taylor recaps last season’s 12-team College Football Playoff, including Miami’s run to the title game and Indiana winning the championship, then discusses looming playoff expansion led by Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti as early as 2027, including the possibility of dropping conference championship games—an idea she dislikes despite supporting more meaningful late-season ga...

Joy Taylor recaps three major stories: the Patriots’ offseason move to address their lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver by trading for A.J. Brown, whose established relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel dates back to their time with the Titans and is already shaping expectations for Brown and QB Drake May after New England’s Super Bowl run and loss to the Seahawks. Taylor also highl...

Joy Taylor reacts to the news that LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, calling it a surprising, high-stakes move given Philly’s intense fan base and championship-or-bust expectations. She breaks down the Sixers’ stacked roster with Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, and Kentavious Caldw...

Joy Taylor breaks down Lane Kiffin’s comments about regretting how he handled leaving Ole Miss for LSU, saying he wishes he’d simply informed Ole Miss AD Keith Carter and avoided the conflict, while noting the move was never going to be a smooth SEC rivalry exit and that LSU vs. Ole Miss on Sept. 19 will be must-watch. She also discusses reports that Aaron Donald may be considering a r...

Joy Taylor recaps a “LeBron sweepstakes” rumor after the Miami Heat briefly posted (then deleted) a YouTube link titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference” dated July 27, which the team later called a social media mistake, while noting the decision timeline feels increasingly strange. She then shifts to the WNBA, highlighting the Minnesota Lynx—already o...