NFL Notebook, Week 2: Dolphins tear it down, quarterback injuries, awards and more
By Zach Cohen
Change is Coming
Welcome to the NBA!
Really, though, I’ve seen a lot of comparisons between the NBA and NFL due to the recent increase in contract and trade demands by NFL players. Ezekiel Elliott, Antonio Brown and Minkah Fitzpatrick are just a few notable players to voice concerns about their current situations. Now, Jalen Ramsey joins the mix and I’m sure others will soon follow (Jamal Adams? Xavien Howard?).
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Some people seem to disagree with this so-called “entitlement” and I strongly oppose that viewpoint. Isn’t it about time the players have a real say? They risk their bodies for these teams, yet are mostly just treated like names and numbers. I get that it can be tough to consider a player’s feelings and desires when there’s 53 of them, which is why it’s been so easy for NBA players to gain more control.
I feel as if NFL players want to be treated more like NBA players. After all, NBA players are easier to market and they get more cash. The problem with that for NFL players is professional basketball is much different from professional football. The marketability thing isn’t NFL players’ faults because you can’t see their faces when they play, unlike NBA players.
As for money, players’ contracts are going to keep getting bigger, that’s just simple economics. The issue that can never be solved is that there are more players in the NFL to spread the money around, hence bigger contracts for NBA players.
Of course, contracts are just one side of the issue for players. In the age of social media, players feel they deserve a bigger voice, and they do. Heck, they should’ve been given a bigger voice a while ago. When the NFL and NFLPA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) ends in 2021, I can’t see it ending well. It might be too far away to call, but I fear a long lockout for the 2021 NFL season.