There’s no denying that Adam Schefter is one of the foremost insiders in sports, though the value of his scoops can vary depending on who you ask. While Schefter is undeniably a leading news-breaker, some critics question the significance of his role, asking why it matters if the Michigan alum is the first to disclose the New York Jets’ new general manager when the team will shortly announce it themselves.
In an appearance on The Main Event with Andrew Marchand, Schefter addressed this criticism, acknowledging that some news he breaks may seem trivial, but he emphasized the larger context of his work. “There are many things that are not five minutes before [news is announced]. Absolutely, there are some that are. But there are a lot of things that aren’t, and there are a lot of big context things,” Schefter explained. “They’re seeing the big picture and addressing it. I know we’re talking about five minutes here—it’s a huge body of work.”
He pointed to the situation surrounding former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s head coaching candidacy. While many anticipated Johnson would land with the Las Vegas Raiders, Schefter confidently reported that the Chicago Bears were still in the mix. As it turns out, Johnson is now the Bears’ head coach.
“I know everybody has Ben Johnson anointed to the Raiders but I’m not in that camp right now..
I don’t know where he’s gonna go but he’s gonna have three realistic options..
Why is everybody ignoring Chicago when it comes to Ben Johnson” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/oFuvEbdGrz
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 17, 2025
“That situation unfolded over two weeks while others suggested it was just a matter of five minutes,” Schefter passionately remarked. “There’s your two weeks’ notice on Ben Johnson. That’s what I mean—there are times when we could put out news just before it’s public, like a player being ruled out for a game, but there’s so much more involved in the job, Andrew.”
Regardless of what critics say about Schefter—of which there is no shortage—it’s clear why he would be offended by the claim that he simply pre-releases press announcements. His role at ESPN demands him to fulfill various responsibilities, some of which require breaking news right before it’s public, while many others necessitate a deeper understanding and connection to the league he has covered for over three decades.
