Adam Schefter is one the most connected people in sports. While the NFL insider has a prominent voice on ESPN, critics may wonder just how necessary his job is.Even if Schefter breaks a scoop first, he'll often report something a team or direct source confirms shortly after.

Schefter opens up to The Athletic's Andrew Marchand about his role, side work he loves doing and his future as a reporter.

Schefter added on the podcast that he did not want to leave the NFL Network when he did in 2009, but a salary disagreement forced his hand and he left for ESPN. Schefter signed a multi-year extension with ESPN worth $9 million a year in 2022, around the same time that ex-reporter Adrian Wojnarowski did.