Ryan Leaf Encourages ESPN Writer to Post His Address So Someone Can Rough Him Up

This Josh Allen breakdown video was not appreciated by a former NFL quarterback.

Former NFL and Washington State Cougars player Ryan Leaf looks on before the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2017 Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium. / Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images

ESPN NFL analyst Ben Solak posted a five-minute video breaking down what could and should have happened on the Buffalo Bills' late failed fourth-down conversion attempt against the Kansas City Chiefs. In it he concludes that Josh Allen would have been best served by throwing a swing pass to Khalil Shakir and hope that the wide receiver could make the line to gain. Obviously, it is very easy for him to do this from the comfort of a computer chair as opposed to when an exotic Steve Spagnuolo blitz is bearing down from all angles.

Here's why I think Josh Allen shoulda thrown the swing to Khalil Shakir.

Think the zone/man pre-snap tells got him off Shakir early but that's still your best option. He still makes a great throw to Kincaid that shoulda been caught https://t.co/aAOezZv8oC pic.twitter.com/BKVDvcfdEk

— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) January 27, 2025

Still, it's a pretty well-researched and rather innocuous piece of content. Perhaps some people could find it a bit annoying and unfair to Allen but certainly not on par with any other pundit who talks about players choking or openly antagonizes them or whatever else they need to do to get engagement.

But some former NFL quarterbacks did not like it. Ryan Fitzpatrick brought up the chair thing and how most houses have heat in the winter while asking Solak to stop pausing tape and playing armchair quarterback.

I actually really like your passion and knowledge for the game but sitting in your comfortable swivel chair with the heater on in the house and a clicker in hand makes the game very easy

Having two unblocked, unimpeded defenders believe it or not is pretty difficult to… https://t.co/AC7I9P4zMO

— Ryan Fitzpatrick (@FitzMagic_14) January 27, 2025

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf went much, much further.

This right here is why in full transparency you have to post your address with these. Someone needs to put a boot in his ass. You work at ESPN. Call Alex, call Dan, call Timmy H. Just call someone before you do this and lose whatever credibility you had. I’m serious though,… https://t.co/ZluaB2MEeN

— Ryan D Leaf (@RyanDLeaf) January 27, 2025

Leaf tweeted:

"This right here is why in full transparency you have to post your address with these. Someone needs to put a boot in his ass. You work at ESPN. Call Alex, call Dan, call Timmy H. Just call someone before you do this and lose whatever credibility you had. I’m serious though, someone go rough this kid up! See if he throws the orbit!"

Perhaps a slight overreaction. And one that's tough to play off when you say you're serious about someone going and roughing a writer up.

It really is just a game and when you're posting that someone should have to give our their home address so people can come out of the woodwork and get physical that's a good sign that you're losing.

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