The Inside Dig is a fascinating route, that is often misunderstood. Its usage and effectiveness has surged in recent seasons, with the best play callers in the NFL building interesting concepts around it.
The Inside Dig often gets confused with Dagger or a back side Dig cut. The specific landmarks are how we can differentiate. The Inside Dig will stem or spray to about 10 yards between the hash and numbers, push vertical to 18, and (usually) square cut inside. The book covers how these landmarks change the windows that the concept as a whole will attack.
This book will take you into the minds of how Ben Johnson, Sean McVay, and the other best play callers design complimentary routes to create dynamic concepts that give modern defenses migraines. The teams included are the Bears, Rams, Seahawks, Bills, and Commanders from my 2025 books.
For the first few days of release, I am able to offer it for $13 through my shop, the link to purchase is below.
Here are a few examples from the book:
Joe Brady and the Bills make great use of this concept family in 2025. This example shows exactly how it generated explosives for them.
One of the base ways to install an Inside Dig concept is to pair it with a big Post opposite. Against single high defenders, it puts the middle safety in a hi-low.
This example from week 11 catches the defense rotating the middle safety to become a deep half player to the field. This opens up the Post over the top.
Sean McVay and the Rams are creative with the concept, but they utilize a basic version that has been a staple play call each week. Bench paired opposite. The read is a pure progression, Bench to Inside Dig.
Ben Johnson is probably the leader in the clubhouse for innovative Inside Dig concepts. He has continued to evolve the concept over the last few seasons, staying ahead of defensive responses.
The example below shows one of his tweaks from down the stretch of the 2025 season. Adding a Bench route outside of the Dig helps the concept against quarters coverages. The book breaks down a few good examples.
Purchase the Inside Dig Manual
Kliff Kingsbury contributed to this study as well. The one I want to highlight here is a version off Duo run action, with the ability to keep 7 in protection. The double move isolated weak is a nice way to take advantage of a 1 on 1 opportunity.
As a bonus, I’ve included some of my favorite designs from the 2025 Lions. While Ben Johnson was in Detroit the Lions cooked with Inside Dig play calls. That still continued after he left in 2025.
The example below shows the Inside Dig with a “Clear” inside of it.
This adjustment is nice to help the concept against quarters. Run the safety off with a vertical threat.
It also helps against inverted Tampa 2 and “cheat” cover 3 looks. It gives the pole runner a threat to deter him from falling off into the Inside Dig window.
Purchase the Inside Dig Manual
Alert The Post is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.