This NFL puzzle ran on Aug 25, 2026. The task was to connect Will McDonald IV to Shannon Sharpe with a chain of real players. The objective: “Links must alternate between a shared team and a shared college, starting with a shared team.” Par was 3 links.
Will McDonald IV (LB) played in the NFL from 2023 to 2026. A one-team career, spent with the New York Jets (2023 to 2026). College: Iowa State. As the Start of the chain, a household name like this gives you a lot of teammates to branch from, which makes it a friendly place to begin.
Shannon Sharpe (TE) played in the NFL from 1990 to 2003. Career stops: the Denver Broncos (1990 to 2003) and the Baltimore Ravens (2000 to 2001). College: Savannah State College. As the Finish of the chain, a household name like this gives you a lot of teammates to branch from, which makes it a friendly place to begin.
Will McDonald IV and Shannon Sharpe do not share a team or a college, so there is no direct link. You need at least one connector in between, and the objective decides which ones are allowed to count.
This was an alternating-link objective. Links have to take turns between a shared team and a shared college, in the order the objective states.
One shortest chain found by searching the full player pool, preferring the best known names at every step:
Many other chains work. Scoring rewards lower-profile connectors, so the best-known route is rarely the highest scoring one.
Want more? Browse the full NFL puzzle archive, read the strategy guides, or see how scoring works on How to Play.