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19 NFL predictions for 5 years in the future of the league

By Zach Cohen

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 21: General view outside of Allegiant Stadium during the NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders on September 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 21: General view outside of Allegiant Stadium during the NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders on September 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Saints 34-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

16. A Super Bowl will be in Las Vegas

What’s with all this Las Vegas talk? Well, this won’t be the last time I mention them. This seems too obvious of a prediction to make. If the Arizona Cardinals can host a Super Bowl in 2023, then the Raiders can surely do it in their luxurious new stadium by 2026.

The shiny, technologically savvy dome can seat up to 65,000 people. It’s equipped with all the best gizmos and gadgets, including 75,000 square feet of video boards. It’s also climate-controlled and has an array of event spaces suitable for the big game. And if that’s not enough: It’s Vegas. The city and the league would be swimming in pools of cash if/when the Super Bowl gets played there.

This is the prediction I’m most confident in.

17. Networks will prominently feature sports betting in broadcasts

I’ve mentioned a lot of on-field predictions and possible changes over the years, but let’s talk about possibly the biggest ones for you. Sports gambling has changed the way sports are consumed, and football is no exception.

After years of taking a hard stance against gambling, the NFL announced a betting partnership with DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars Entertainment. Not to mention that 21 states and Washington D.C. have legalized sports gambling in some fashion, with nine states pending approval in 2021.

We’re already seeing networks establish betting-themed shows, so I won’t be surprised if they incorporate them into game broadcasts. I can totally see a betting channel like NFL RedZone exist down the line, too.

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