Welcome to your Morning Cup of Joe, an eye-opener to help Joe’s readers ease into their busy workday with a few football links, wacky news and a pleasant distraction.

Distraction of the Day

When you poke the bear, don’t be surprised if the bear pokes back. NFL strongman Roger Goodell is trying to squeeze Rupert Murdoch and his FOX outfit on a new TV deal. All of a sudden, one of Murdoch’s (respected) organs, the Wall Street Journal, publishes an editorial how the feds need to reexamine the NFL’s antitrust exemption. That’s basically a warning shot that Goodell needs to back off. Careful Rog. Murdoch has friends in very, very high and very powerful places that you, sir, certainly do not. Why should Bucs fans care? If the NFL loses its antitrust exemption, they could lose hundreds of millions over the course of the next decade as they would have to negotiate their own TV deals and would no longer have an equal piece of the pie from national TV contracts as there would be no national TV contracts. And the Bucs are just not a nationally popular team unless an international superstar happens to play quarterback for them. As a result, Bucs fans very likely could be cheering for the Austin Bucs or the Munich Bucs. [PFT]

Joe has to wonder who with the Eagles is leaking all of this Jalen Hurts hate? LOL [CBS]

The Dixie Chicks actually upgraded their “Longest Yard” uniforms. [Yahoo!]

Five teams that could have quick turnarounds this fall. [NFL]

Is that supposed to be a shot glass? [TikTok]

In the wake of BSPN’s hostile takeover of NFL Network, the four-letter wants to keep Ian Rapoport and Daniel Jeremiah. But what about Colleen Wolfe, Taylor Bisciotti, Sherree Burruss, Stacey Dales and Jane Slater? [Front Office Sports]

The Raiders signing Kirk Cousins so Fernando Mendoza isn’t rushed makes sense to Joe. But not everyone agrees. [SI]

Conference championship games are good! The nerve of one SEC AD who wants to dump it. [Outkick]

Did two-bit comedian Ian Eagle call out Gus Johnson? [Awful Announcing]

It fetches! [TikTok]

I was reluctant, but I’ve chosen to embrace Caleb Williams’ “Iceman” nickname.

Here’s why… pic.twitter.com/zfG299x6es

— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) March 20, 2026

What does Rams GM Les Snead think of USC WR Makai Lemon at pick 13?? 🤔@heykayadams pic.twitter.com/PH70NnpcX0

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 1, 2026