2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[DragonOfTheBlackPool]

Originally Posted by Samus Aran

Compared to the average salary of a US citizen, no. But compared to other sports leagues and what they're putting their bodies through, yes. The NFL players union is weak.

Of course they don't compare to the average salary. And comparing them to another league doesn't paint an accurate picture. Using the NBA as an example, there are roughly 450 active players in the league. The NFL has close to 1700 active players, more than 3x the amount (2x the amount of players in MLB and the NHL). The NFL has to split their percentage of player revenue amongst more people. That's one of the reasons why the NBA can give out huge free agent contracts to average players.

As far as the bolded, these players know what they're getting into. There's more than enough evidence out there to show the dangers of playing football. If they don't feel like the pay is worth it, they have the choice to not play.

Now if you want to talk about a sport where a good percentage of the participants are underpaid, look up some of the paydays in MMA.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by DragonOfTheBlackPool

Of course they don't compare to the average salary. And comparing them to another league doesn't paint an accurate picture. Using the NBA as an example, there are roughly 450 active players in the league. The NFL has close to 1700 active players, more than 3x the amount (2x the amount of players in MLB and the NHL). The NFL has to split their percentage of player revenue amongst more people. That's one of the reasons why the NBA can give out huge free agent contracts to average players.

NFL league revenues are roughly 3x that of the NBA, with profits likely greater by an even wider margin. Even accounting for the much higher number of players it doesn't add up that the average NBA players makes >2.5x more than the average NFL player. Throw in the fact that the NFL is the only major league where contracts largely are not guaranteed.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Realistically we won't really need referees in most sports in the not too distant future. Technology will render them obsolete. Honestly, in MLB a robot could probably already call balls and strikes with 100% accuracy. Problem is sports leagues will always lag technology. That and referee unions will fight tooth and nail to keep those jobs.

The problem is that games can be skewed by the human element and thereby influence games, therein lies the problem.

[DragonOfTheBlackPool]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

NFL league revenues are roughly 3x that of the NBA, with profits likely greater by an even wider margin. Even accounting for the much higher number of players it doesn't add up that the average NBA players makes >2.5x more than the average NFL player. Throw in the fact that the NFL is the only major league where contracts largely are not guaranteed.

Sure it does. Here's an article from 2016, #2 explains how...

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/7/...ck-mike-conley

[BeastCreatureTrapper]

Originally Posted by BizCat

Just have a full on command center that watches every single game - these guys call into the on-field refs whenever something should have been called, or not called. Make every play reviewable. I don't care how long it takes a game to be completed if I KNOW it's going to be absolute fair and does not change the outcomes, or has any impact.

Simplify the rules.. get rid of this possession catch BS.

Or allow coaches as many challenges as they want so they can challenge penalties, or lack of, without losing a timeout.

As long as humans are involved...EVEN IF they review every single fart on the field...there will still be "errors", as judgement calls are, well, judgement calls.

I guarantee even if they set up that scenario of yours, you would still find something to b*tch about.

It's human nature and, quite frankly, the human element of officiating the game, as flawed as it is at times, is part of its beauty. Life ain't perfect, and life ain't always fair...so why do we demand that our sporting competitions not reflect that?

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by BeastCreatureTrapper

As long as humans are involved...EVEN IF they review every single fart on the field...there will still be "errors", as judgement calls are, well, judgement calls.

I guarantee even if they set up that scenario of yours, you would still find something to b*tch about.

It's human nature and, quite frankly, the human element of officiating the game, as flawed as it is at times, is part of its beauty. Life ain't perfect, and life ain't always fair...so why do we demand that our sporting competitions not reflect that?

Because it should be held to the highest standard, and continually upheld. Doing what I mentioned above would take care of the majority of issues. Sure there'd still be some as nothing is perfect but the crap we are seeing right now has gone on all season, for the past several seasons. Human judgement still but if we took the time and made the right calls, then it lessens the impact on the games outcome.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by Samus Aran

Compared to the average salary of a US citizen, no. But compared to other sports leagues and what they're putting their bodies through, yes. The NFL players union is weak.

What's amazing is how weak the MLB players union has become. When Don Fehr was running the MLBPA it was as powerful as any other union, but now it's weaker than any other sport. Part of their problem is they have a former player (Tony Clark) running the union rather than someone with a law background and in the last CBA negotiations Clark was most concerned with things like extra days off for players rather than forcing teams to spend more money on players or getting young players to free agency quicker.

[rickah88]

MLB? I can’t even begin to take them seriously until they have a DH in the NL.
Until then they will always be an antiquated league that adapts to change at a glacial pace.

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by rickah88

MLB? I can’t even begin to take them seriously until they have a DH in the NL.
Until then they will always be an antiquated league that adapts to change at a glacial pace.

Nah, I love that the two leagues in MLB are different with this one main aspect. It's fun to see pitchers hit.

[fatediesel]

Larry Fitzgerald is going to return next season with the Cardinals and has signed a one-year deal. Fitz was a free agent and could have gone to a contender but instead will play his 16th season in Arizona. If he has 23 catches he'll pass Tony Gonzalez for 2nd in career receptions.

[imsounoriginal]

Kingsbury must've convinced him to stay, the man has breathed the same air as Sean McVay after all.

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Larry Fitzgerald is going to return next season with the Cardinals and has signed a one-year deal. Fitz was a free agent and could have gone to a contender but instead will play his 16th season in Arizona. If he has 23 catches he'll pass Tony Gonzalez for 2nd in career receptions.

Easily one of my favorite players ever.

[rickah88]

Darren McFadden
PJ Williams

How the hell do you fall asleep in a drive thru??
As for Williams, this will be his third offense in under 5 years. Twice he got a slap on the wrist while in college.

Also I have to give mad props to Rams Safety John Johnson for trolling the Saints after his OT pick of Brees. He did that because the Saints trolled Philly players by wearing ski masks after beating them in the Divisional game. Johnson is good friends with Ronald Darby, Tre Sullivan and Rodney McLeod as they all are from PG County MD(where I grew up in Bowie )
Love it!! Hope the Saints just crumble around Payton.

[West E]

Does this affect PJ’s status for when Goodell makes them replay the final 1:49 next weekend?

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by West E

Does this affect PJ’s status for when Goodell makes them replay the final 1:49 next weekend?

That flippin' idiot has been hiding underneath his desk.

[imsounoriginal]

I kinda want Goodell to announce that they'll replay the final 1:49, just to see NFL fans and media personalities lose their minds.

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

I kinda want Goodell to announce that they'll replay the final 1:49, just to see NFL fans and media personalities lose their minds.

Should have done this a number of times, including the 2014 NFC Wildcard game between Dallas and Detroit.

[imsounoriginal]

It would set a messy precedent, which is why I don't think it will (or should) be done. But it's an amusing hypothetical lol

[BizCat]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

It would set a messy precedent, which is why I don't think it will (or should) be done. But it's an amusing hypothetical lol

Which I can understand - but he hasn't even done a single thing to aim for better officiating.

[imsounoriginal]

I'm hoping this will be the final straw that forces some change. Either add more refs or change what can be challenged and/or the number of challenges. Some more tech couldn't hurt for things like first downs or pre-snap penalties at the LoS, but judgment calls like holding and PI need to be more consistent.