NFL+ did not need a game result to start one of Friday’s loudest football arguments. It only needed to announce that Pete Herzog, the creator behind Film Watchers, would be joining its social coverage.
The move split former NFL players, trainers, and online creators immediately. The dispute was bigger than one new media role: who gets to explain NFL film publicly, and how much should playing experience matter when someone is teaching the game?
Former NFL Players Challenge Film Watchers’ Expertise
NFL+ announced that Herzog will appear weekly on its X and Instagram channels, breaking down notable plays. The news reopened an existing disagreement over some of his offensive and defensive line analysis.
Former All-Pro tackle Mitchell Schwartz zeroed in on terminology. “He started the vid off by misidentifying a 3t vs 4i which matters a lot for us because it’s usually indicative of the style of defense that guy is playing (for anyone else reading this) and that was like the 8th least offensive thing he said in the video,” Schwartz wrote.
He started the vid off by misidentifying a 3t vs 4i which matters a lot for us because it’s usually indicative of the style of defense that guy is playing (for anyone else reading this) and that was like the 8th least offensive thing he said in the video.
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) September 4, 2026
His brother, former NFL lineman Geoff Schwartz, was similarly critical. “I respectfully explained he was wrong about something. I appreciate his enthusiasm for watching film but his knowledge about OL/DL play is very limited,” Schwartz wrote.
I respectfully explained he was wrong about something. I appreciate his enthusiasm for watching film but his knowledge about OL/DL play is very limited.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 4, 2026
Emmanuel Acho revealed that he had apparently been blocked by Herzog as well. “He blocked y’all too? Hahahah I went to retweet a video and was like, what the [expletive] did I do to get blocked? Hahahah,” Acho wrote.
START PREPARING: PFN’s Free Fantasy Draft Simulator
Quarterback trainer Quincy Avery responded with “🤨🤨🤨🤨,” in his direct reaction, while Mike Kennedy offered an even shorter review: “Huge win for misinformation.”
Anthony Russo was direct about his criticism and wrote, “He doesn’t know ball and blocks people that give him constructive feedback, shame that this is who gets the NFL rub.”
He doesn’t know ball and blocks people that give him constructive feedback, shame that this is who gets the NFL rub https://t.co/xgGro46GDT
— Anthony Russo (@Anthony_Russo97) September 4, 2026
Former NFL defensive back Will Blackmon also took a subtle dig, writing, “Just cuz you played isn’t enough. Creators are taking over!! Y’all former players who only know how to check your hotmail and play Oregon Trail better learn how to use Twitch or some [expletive] or Hire some help 😂.”
The criticism made the announcement feel less like a routine content partnership and more like a referendum on social-media film analysis.
Creators Push Back on the Former Players’ Gatekeeping
While many were unhappy with Herzog’s new role, many others congratulated him.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
Breiden Fehoko, who also played in the NFL, wrote, “Well deserved.”
Well deserved
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) September 4, 2026
Barstool’s Steven Cheah also liked Herzog’s big move and posted, “Let’s gooooo!!!! Congrats”
Austin Abbott added, “This is actually so cool man, congratulations. Your content is some of my favorite, you deserve it keep going big dawg.”
Football Analysis celebrated the move, writing, “You love to see it,” in its congratulatory response.
You love to see it
Congratulations! @Filmwatchers1 https://t.co/TijAFJd1FV
— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) September 4, 2026
Ian Hartitz echoed the same tune, writing, “Hell yeah, great day to be great, congrats.”
Herzog says Film Watchers has built more than 800,000 followers across five platforms since December 2024, with previous partnerships involving NFL+, ESPN and Bleacher Report. The NFL itself had already featured Film Watchers breakdowns before Friday’s announcement.
The argument is not really whether former players or creators belong in football media. Both already do. It is whether a huge audience and polished breakdowns establish authority when former professionals believe technical details are being explained incorrectly.
NFL+ has chosen to put Herzog on its platforms weekly. Judging by Friday’s reaction, the film on Film Watchers will now be watched as closely as the film he breaks down.
