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NFL 2025-2026

Who are you rooting for?

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#81
GregC said:
It's the NFL, a single player doesn't have much say in how the team's run--other than the top few QBs. It's up to the owners and coaches.
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That wasn't what I was wondering about though.
If a guy wants to win a Super Bowl now, he's not going to sign a deal to play for the Cleveland Browns or the Pittsburgh Steelers.

-Mike
 
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#82
MJ5150 said:
That wasn't what I was wondering about though.
If a guy wants to win a Super Bowl now, he's not going to sign a deal to play for the Cleveland Browns or the Pittsburgh Steelers.

-Mike
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But not every great player can play for a true contender. Even at the veteran minimum, the salary cap prevents that. Player movement is also restricted by current contract terms. And there's only so much playing time to go around.
 
#84
MJ5150 said:
The TJ and Garrett comment made me think, I wonder how many guys in the NFL right now are playing to win a Super Bowl. I think that number is low.
Case in point is those two, among many others. Neither Garrett nor TJ have a legit shot yet they signed at the time historic deals to basically wrap up their careers. Yeah I know the adage 'any given Sunday', but the truth of the matter is that neither of them are going to get close to the Super Bowl. Seems to me like the 'play to win' crowd has slowly faded out and replaced by the 'play to get paid' crowd. If they win, great, but that isn't really the point.

-Mike
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That’s a fair question, but the answer is more complicated for some players than others. On one hand, I tend to agree with Tom Brady’s comment during the postseason last year, that some guys are champions, and some are just superstars. Superstars can help you win championships, but champions drag you over the finish line.

On the other hand, Garrett’s realistic choices probably came down to playing in Cleveland or retiring. Had he made his move 4 or 5 years ago, it’s probably a different story. Only one of those gives him even a hope, no matter how delusional, of winning a Super Bowl. Besides, having had my ability to play live music taken away from me, I can’t imagine what it’s like for a professional athlete who has to make the decision to give it up forever.

Then again, back to your point, how much did the money shade his decision? Nobody’s ever waved that kind money in my face, so I can only imagine the pressure, but it must be hard to walk away from your last big payday. It’s been my experience that reality has a way of taking the sparkle off your dreams. It’s not so much the years as the miles - no pun intended, and playing for a perennially terrible team has got to wear you down faster.
 
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#85
So what is someone like Garret or TJ gonna do? Unless you can wrangle a deal to get on the Chiefs roster, it's very likely you'd be playing for less money and still not get a shot at a ring. Just like any job, there's a whole lot to deciding where to work. Do you like your teammates and coaches? Do you like the city and fan support? Is your family settled in where you are? Playing on a competitive team would certainly be nice, but these guys have lives too.
 
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#86
MJ5150 said:
The TJ and Garrett comment made me think, I wonder how many guys in the NFL right now are playing to win a Super Bowl. I think that number is low.
Case in point is those two, among many others. Neither Garrett nor TJ have a legit shot yet they signed at the time historic deals to basically wrap up their careers. Yeah I know the adage 'any given Sunday', but the truth of the matter is that neither of them are going to get close to the Super Bowl. Seems to me like the 'play to win' crowd has slowly faded out and replaced by the 'play to get paid' crowd. If they win, great, but that isn't really the point.

-Mike
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Hey, c'mon now. The Steelers haven't had a losing season in how long?

And then there's the Browns. I don't even know what to say about them.
 
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#93
Rich Fiscus said:
What do you mean after? He’s still on the team, and his contract is still their biggest handicap.
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I don't think he will ever play again. Your point is well taken. The whole fiasco will be a handicap for years after Watson is long gone. The years of no draft choices will leave a long-term hole in the roster that is going to take for just about ever to fill.
 
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#96
Gaolee said:
I don't think he will ever play again. Your point is well taken. The whole fiasco will be a handicap for years after Watson is long gone. The years of no draft choices will leave a long-term hole in the roster that is going to take for just about ever to fill.
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Yeah, that organization started digging that hole when they came back in 1999 and still haven't filled it.
 
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