Because the NFL couldn’t be any more full of itself, Roger Goodell predicted that “well over a million people” would pack Washington’s National Mall for the NFL draft in two years. Not a million. Well over.

America’s top sports carny then turned his pomposity up to 11 when he said that the 2027 event “can have a tremendous impact on this community … and show the world how far the nation’s capital has come and where it’s going.”

Mostly, what the million-fan march will show the world is that D.C. traffic is a nightmare. The draft crowds could shut down the capital. A good thing, most likely.

Dreaded thought: Judging from the over-the-top, cringy theatrics the NFL threw into this last draft, I wouldn’t be surprised if the league asks Snoop Dogg to recite Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech on the mall.

Wondering: When Goodell was in the Oval Office, might he have discussed Donald Trump’s plan to eliminate major federal funding for traumatic brain-injury research? Goodell likes to give the impression he cares about players’ health.

Numbers game: In a recent Washington Post poll of 651 people, 55% of respondents “favor strongly” or “favor somewhat” the use of D.C. funds to help build a new Commanders stadium. We’re supposed to believe that the opinions of such a small sample represent the sentiment of most D.C. taxpayers. C’mon now.

Future watch: Only when it comes to the NFL — a 12-month national obsession — is the release of the league schedule considered a big deal among the faithful. It takes place next Wednesday.

Mixed message: The Ravens released place-kicker Justin Tucker, accused by multiple massage therapists of sexual misconduct, but appear to be content with edge rusher Mike Green, a second-round pick from Marshall who was accused of sexual assault in high school and college. Of all teams, the Ravens couldn’t find another strong prospect with fewer red flags? It’s a stunning self-own by a franchise under heavy scrutiny.

Giddy-up: The Triple Crown — in decline the last 20 years — forfeits a lot of casual interest when the Kentucky Derby winner skips the Preakness. This marks the second time in the last four years that the Derby winner ditched Baltimore.

And on it goes: There was an Aaron Rodgers sighting at the Kentucky Derby, but there’s still no definitive word on when he might saddle up for the Steelers. Any day now, we’re told. Any day.

In passing: I’m still surprised the Steelers didn’t draft Shedeur Sanders.

Problematic: The Warriors’ season — and the general level of national interest in the NBA playoffs — hangs by Steph Curry’s left hamstring.

Courting trouble: Enough already about the importance of home court. Going into Thursday’s NBA playoff action, teams were 1-6 in front of family and friends.

Collapsing: The Knicks would like it to be phrased another way, but the Celtics are the first team to blow 20-plus-point leads to lose back-to-back playoff games. That the calamities took place on the parquet only added to Boston’s embarrassment.

Next chapter: He didn’t dunk or help sell sneakers, but Gregg Popovich’s retirement from the sidelines is a big loss for basketball.

Stat stuff: With the American League’s worst ERA, run differential and production with runners in scoring position, the Orioles appear to be built for last place.

En fuego: By no means has Shohei Ohtani’s season been chopped sushi, but New York is home so far this season to baseball’s most fearsome hitters — the Yankees’ Aaron Judge and the Mets’ Pete Alonso.

Bob Molinaro is a former Virginian-Pilot sports columnist. His Weekly Briefing runs Fridays in The Pilot and Daily Press. He can be reached at bob5molinaro@gmail.com and via Twitter@BobMolinaro.

Originally Published: May 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM EDT