The 2024 NFL Season will be the largest leap of change to actual gameplay since the 1970 NFL Merger.

Recently we heard about the outlawing of “hip-drop tackles” via officiating, for the 2024 NFL Season. Now, this is tough because I’m all for player safety, but this is undoubtedly the next rule change in a long line of them that has made everything easier on the offense. Quarterbacks and wide receivers are now protected, and the point-scoring and excitement has been optimized for and catered to. Many current and former players voiced their displeasure when this ban was announced.

This hasn’t been discussed a ton, but the league also decided to push the NFL trade deadline back a week. There is an extra game, but that still moves the deadline forward an incremental amount, when compared to the overall length of the season. Will this cause a slight uptick in some teams tanking and some teams loading up? I hope not.

Even the positive changes, like the NFLPA proposal to modify/move OTA’s comes with a catch. This is a piece that will fit the inevitable puzzle of adding an 18th game to the NFL schedule. We are also getting broadcast coverage moving more and more to the streaming platforms… welcome to the future of reality TV and cash cow-ism.

On that note, I want to point out that there is now a Hard Knocks documentary for every part of the year (including offseason)! This year, we’re even following a whole division, getting all up in their biz during the season. That’s mad nuts, even for a nut connoisseur. I’m grateful for more access and peaks behind to scenes of how things work, but don’t you think there’s a reason that coaches don’t want their teams to be on it? It’s added pressure that can have dudes acting out of character.

I love the game of football, so expansion to other professional leagues in different countries around the world (similar to pro basketball) sounds like an enticing idea. There’s no way Roger Goodell has eyes on competing with soccer (fútbol)… right? I just hope this league doesn’t start acting out of character.

NFL marketing IS currently devising detailed and strategic marketing for global expansion (which can also be accelerated through their partnerships with international streaming giant, Netflix). Will the Jaguars from Duvall County someday end up in the U.K.? Will there someday be teams in Brasil, México and/or Nàìjíríà? Will Tyreek Hill someday cross up a North Korean fruit stand vendor?

New NFL kickoff rules have dropped, and I’m kind of excited to see how it plays out… but it possibly eliminates Hall of Fame talents and kick return fits like Devin Hester and Dante Hall. As Coach Cowher points out, it will also do away with the onside kick part of the game. The punt play is still here, but those kinds of returns are half as likely to score. I mean, we have an entirely new phase of the game being introduced and replacing an old one at the highest level of football!

DeAndre Hopkins is petitioning the league about flag football. Cool idea, but I’m going to recommend treating flag football as the more PR-friendly version of the sport like artists are treating AI. Flag football is now in the Olympics?? This dude is lowkey cold, but brah… have several seats!

Look, this pains me as a defensive guy at heart. This is becoming a different game?? {How I wish Zuck+IG would let us embed vids…} Are the rules really about player safety…? Or more points and more revenue?

Teams are now building new stadiums with retractable roofs to attract other sports events and acts. State-of-the-art venues sounds great, but what about playing football in the elements? That’s something that is defining of American Football, and a feature that is found nowhere else in major sports…

There are current developments, like the implementation of new-age tech to replace the chain gang, that I think are welcome and necessary. I also see the new Guardian Cap allowance as really great, and a positive thing for football, but the league does not want team logos to be covered long term… Paint the cap to match?

This article about the caps makes me think about: if WRs, DBs and QBs don’t have to wear them, will the NFL eventually keep creating rules and structures to place more value on the passing game? Have they already? I’m no conspiracy theorist (maayyybe a smidge), but it would make some sense. There was a time after the Will Smith movie about CTE that I considered that the concussion issue could ultimately end the sport of American football one day. A pivot to the passing game could be the reason for survival.

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For those paying attention to the incoming rookie class, there was a record 23 offensive players taken in round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft! Only 9 defenders were taken!! 14 consecutive picks were offensive players. The previous record was 7 to start a draft!

In fact, there has never been a run of 14-straight players on one side of the ball at any point in an NFL draft. We’ve also never seen 5 of the first 10 picks being QB’s in a draft, but it happened. And directly after, 2024 broke its own record that stood for two draft picks when Bo Nix was taken at #12 by the Denver Broncos! Six of the first 12 picks in the draft were quarterbacks.

Does that mean this should be the greatest QB class in history? I’m no college ball expert, but you can call me skeptical… Nix was a player that was being projected by all the draftniks for the 2nd round. Such is the desperation for QB’s these days, that we see that desire manifesting itself in a propulsion up the draft board for all of these young signal callers.

These things also go to show the now outsized impact that passers have on the game of football. They are protected and even supported by the rules like never before in history. Just ask Tom Brady.

I heard Mike Macdonald seem to bring up an 8 DB formation?? Do I need to clean my ears? I was a DB when I played (MTHS/MHS) but… good lord.

And now, player empowerment is stretching to an NBA level? Are players starting to have the leverage to pull strings like fully guaranteed contracts and no-trade clauses? This may only increase with the vote for the trade deadline being pushed back a week (week 9). Elway, Manning, Favre, Brady, Rodgers, Watson, Wilson have all flexed the leverage of the rarity of their expertise to get what they wanted.

Don’t even get us jabbering about how NIL will possibly change everything about football one day.

And now, with the 3-helmet rule, we’ll have NBA style jersey switcheroos too. I like an alternate uni, but one of the beautiful things about the NFL is that the jerseys are classics. The NBA has some classics too, but they rarely wear them, eschewing those for experimental and loud outfits. It’s no wonder NFL teams are ahead in branding.

And finally, on cut down day (like we wouldn’t notice), a vote to make private equities a part of the game. Is this a good thing for the game of football? I have serious and persistent doubts.

I’ll admit it: I’m anxious about the direction of the game of football that I grew up with. A gritty, physical, yet graceful, lay-everything-on-the-line sport unlike any other. I proudly shed literal blood, sweat and tears on the field, learning about hard work and camaraderie even by necessity with those whom you must cooperate with.

Maybe we can make the game safer, but this game was always like stepping onto a battlefield for me. I get it. When men are making a fortune or losing that fortune based on injury luck, it must suck. But that’s the gladiator game of football that I grew up and fell in love with. Remember this football?

Do I sound like an old head if I say: let’s hope this movement doesn’t go TOO far? Look at how Seattle has rolled with a cheap vet and then traded for another cheap contract to stay within contention of SF who have a $1M bargain of their own in Purdy!

My fear is that this becomes a business of rentals, red tape, endorsements and mercenaries playing flag football. I just hope we (including the next generation) don’t lose the love of the game and the love and loyalty to a cause, no matter how long it takes. I hope we don’t lose out on what makes football inspiring and unique. Buckle up.

Seattle Seahawks order of needs (as it stands):

• Defensive End

• Corner (competition)
• Offensive Tackle
• Defensive Tackle (rotational)
• Center
• Running Back
• Outside Linebacker
• Quarterback

Free Agent Targets:

Ndamukong Suh, Michael Pierce, Timmy Jernigan, Alex Collins, P.J. Walker, Jimmy Smith, Ronald Darby, Daryl Worley, De’Vondre Campbell

So, if defensive end is our most pressing need by far, then why don’t I have Jadeveon Clowney listed in my Free Agent Targets section? As much as I loved the move to get Jadeveon Clowney in a trade, I think that it may be a good idea to consider a different option at this point. While it may sound crazy at first, I think that the Seahawks should let Clowney join another team in free agency and make a blockbuster trade for Yannick Nicolas Ngakoue of the Jacksonville Jaguars. I’m in the minority here but let me explain.

The first stat that I’ll throw out there is that Yannick Ngakoue has 37.5 sacks over the last 4 years for the Jaguars, without any season total lower than 8. I want to let you know that this means he has been very good at dropping QB’s. For comparison’s sake, Von Miller has 46 sacks the last 4 years. Jadeveon Clowney (who had 3 sacks this past year) has 27.5 sacks in the last 4 years, and 29 sacks in his 4 final years with the Houston Texans. Believe it or not, Clowney has never registered double digit sacks in a season in the NFL. Clowney is a former #1 overall pick in the first round with name recognition. Ngakoue is a former 3rd-round pick. While we can begin to try to justify with points about there being differences from team to scheme, Yannick has taken advantage of opportunities at every point.

But… but! What about everything we’ve invested in Clowney??

Jadeveon Clowney was a nice roll of the dice that didn’t quite land as the Seahawks had hoped. Luckily, we took advantage of the GM-less Texans to not have to give up much to get him (sound familiar?) The real beauty of the Clowney trade is that if he walks in free agency, we can quite possibly recoup the 3rd round pick that we traded for him in the compensatory draft! Seahawks GM, John Schneider doesn’t just do this for praise: he is a shrewd businessman with eyes always to the future who takes calculated shots. He’s also rolled the dice on Marshawn Lynch, Percy Harvin, Jimmy Graham, and Sheldon Richardson.

Ultimately, it’s been speculated that Jadeveon may be better suited standing up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Yannick Ngakoue is a designated pass rusher (DPR) who has the chance to be great in the right scheme! Ngakoue was a part of that great ‘Sacksonville”, “Teal Curtain” defense from a couple years ago. He’s already been a consistent producer who outproduced a former 1st round pick (Dante Fowler). He’s made it known that he doesn’t want to continue to play in Jacksonville. He’s just entering his prime and eerily reminds me of a Michael Bennett or Cliff Avril type of addition.

You know the names, but they are not superstars. They are young, ascending pass rushers with time to develop. That’s Yannick. BUT, in his 4 years with the Jags, Yannick has more than double the count of sacks that Bennett had in his 4 years with the Bucs prior to signing in Seattle. Now, Ngakoue was drafted in the 3rd round while Bennett was undrafted… but with Yannick, there is added security since he’s been ballin’ since day 1. I don’t care if it takes a 1st and a 2nd (what we got for Frank Clark) … go get this young bull!! See if I care… We have two 2nds, so there!

It would be nice if, like Dee Ford, this trade would only cost a 2nd. The good/bad news is that Ngakoue has been WAY more consistent than Ford was prior to his trade. Imagine if the compensation is a 1st and a 3rd: We’d most likely get a 3rd back for Clowney walking, and we basically will have only had to give up a 1st round pick (and look better than the Chiefs)! First round picks generally have about a 50% success rate. I’d rather have a young, proven option than take the next confusing Seahawks pick behind door #3 and hoping he doesn’t redshirt like L.J. Collier. A lethal pass rush would take our defense (and, quite possibly the play of our secondary) to the next level. Pete Carroll knows this well.

I’ve heard talk of targeting Everson Griffen, formerly of the Vikings. Pete coached him in college, and could convince him to throw his purple in the sky like a toxic ex. He may be nearing the end of his career and has had some personal issues to work through in the recent past. That may not be the best fit for what this team is currently building. Targeting Jadeveon Clowney has the potential to initiate this whole dance again next year. There are rumors that his lack of a mega contract offer this year makes him want to take a 1-year deal so that he can raise his value and hit the market again in 2021. Yannick may be more amenable to starting over and signing a long-term deal. We want someone who is trying to invest in what we are building. Ask Sherman and Bennett.

We are, of course, not the only team that would be interested in Ngakoue’s services. If we get involved in a bidding war with say, the Bills, Dolphins and Giants, John Schneider may bow out. Even in that scenario, let’s remember that proven pass rushers who are just hitting their prime don’t usually come available. It may be time to follow Lil Jon’s advice and take another shot. Adding a player that could be the catalyst to a lasting defensive revitalization in Seattle should be a priority. Yannick Ngakoue feels like the kind of consistent, driven and prototypical defensive end who the Seahawks would love to deploy. He feels like a guy that belongs in blue and action green.

While Coronavirus is cancelling everything around us (thankful for this Tweet), The National Football League, we can all be sure, will attempt to keep the upcoming season on track as much as liability will allow. These people love what they do and will make sure to get that guap in all ways possible. In the absence of most sports and entertainment, a ton of eyes will be on the impending news about 2020 Free Agency and the NFL Draft.

Many dominoes fell today. The NFL Players voted to pass the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (part of which allows the use of only the franchise tag in negotiations), The Jacksonville Jaguars initiated “Project Dolphin Tank” and The Tennessee Titans (as I predicted, as you’ll see at the bottom) chose Ryan Tannehill over everybody out there. That ‘everybody’ includes the G.O.A.T., Tom Brady. Tommy boy will be 43 this season, but why won’t this old man tell us where he’s going?? Chris Simms and his dad, along with most other people are dismissing the idea entirely that Brady would ever leave the team he’s played 20 seasons for. I’m here to tell you that we will not see him play in a New England Patriots jersey ever again! EVER.

Whatever the reason(s) may be, Tom’s play has declined statistically over the last 3 seasons. That is undeniable. We were already wondering if he would leave last year. This season felt like a definitive breaking point. Brady had his worst second half of a season ever (in completion percentage, passing yards per attempt as well as passer rating). You can make all of the excuses for his play that you want: he dealt with injuries, he misses Rob Gronkowski, Edelman missed time, his young receivers could not get open, the running game regressed, etc. It’s easy to forget, however, that this is Tom freaking Brady that we are talking about! Those excuses used to not even matter. His whole thing used to be that he worked with no-name guys and castoffs on offense and made them into playmakers and stars. The list includes Reche Caldwell, Jonas Gray, Brandon Lloyd, Laurence Maroney, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, Dion Lewis, Troy Brown, Shane Vereen, Kevin Faulk, David Givens, Julian Edelman, Wes Welker and Deion Branch (sore subject as a Hawks fan) among others as guys that were dangerous in championship games and seasons in New England but accomplished little else at future or previous stops.

Tom Brady is one of the most competitive athletes in the league, and may be one of the greats who can’t accept mediocrity or his own susceptibility to Father Time. It kinda feels like Brady wanted the Patriots to do more for him this year. You better believe that the chip on this former 6th rounder’s shoulder got bigger after the narrative he faced this season. He will be highly motivated to pull a #WashedKing and prove everyone wrong. Fascinating.

That being said, let’s look at things from the Patriots’ perspective. As bizarre as it is to admit, Brady is one of the weak links on this team. New England had a strong defensive showing this past season and has the reigning DPOY. Since he is paid as a quarterback, that is not a great disparity for the team to have. The fans in us (whether we love or despise him) can’t believe that New England would let their franchise icon leave for another team… look at how the Giants let Eli stay until the wheels fell off. You know that these are the Patriots that we’re talking about, Jack?!

New England is cold-blooded and calculating. They are notorious for getting rid of players a year too early vs. a year too late. If these QB dominoes weren’t in danger of falling at any second, I would do a deep dive on the history of that idea in New England. Names like Ty Law, Richard Seymour, Randy Moss, Lawyer Malloy and Darrelle Revis immediately come to mind. That’s one way that they’ve been able to stay on top for so long: they don’t play when it comes to business decisions. They are the anti-Cowboys (Jerry Jones LOVES his star players and will do a lot to keep them).

You can argue their level of competition early in the year, but heading into the playoffs, the Patriot Defense was the 4th team in the last 25 years to allow 20 or fewer offensive touchdowns and intercept more than 25 passes. The previous three teams to accomplish this all went on to win the Super Bowl. The Patriots did not… DO YOU THINK BILL BELICHICK WILL LET THAT STAND?? He was most likely already hot that Robert Kraft made him keep Brady last year over Jimmy Garoppolo.

Enter the young Los Angeles Chargers. They are already behind in a fight with the Rams for the loyalty of L.A. Ask the Clippers how important that factor is. They have made every move imaginable this offseason to build a comfortable and cushy landing spot for TB12. They extended a great satellite back (Tom has been known to make magic with these kinds of weapons) in Austin Ekeler. They made hard decisions to open up cap space in dumping the contracts of older, yet still effective players in Thomas Davis and Brandon Mebane. They already have a great route runner and a downfield threat in Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, respectively. Keenan Allen’s presence in particular makes this a crucial potential fit, as he is a maven in the slot. Brady has been a major catalyst in the chemical process of making slot receivers boom throughout his career. Oh yeah, the Bolts have a young threat named Hunter Henry who would give Brady the best tight end he’s had since Gronk. Ya’ll seeing this? I think Tom would love to be at the controls here, walking around with WMD‘s at his disposal, walking around L.A. with his Uggs in search of avocado ice cream.

The kicker in this whole situation may be the potential strength of the O-line, which they navigated perfectly to improve so far. They flipped their left tackle, Russell Okung, in order to gain a strength at offensive guard with Trai Turner from the Carolina Panthers. They most likely did this with the fact in mind that they pick 6th overall in the upcoming NFL Draft and are in position to take one of the elite tackle prospects in the draft to solidify their line. Believe it or not, this is a team that lost 10 of their games by one score or less. The Chargers are a team that is within striking distance of competing for the ‘ship if they can get modest gains in contribution from the quarterback position (and if Derwin James can regain form after his injury).

If you check out all of the public forums and social media comments, nobody thinks Vader is leaving the Empire. What if he does? What if he helps to bring balance to the league? Tom even already announced that he’s headed to Hollywood. Get ready for the inevitable Tom Brady and LeBron James commercial if you live in the LA Metro area. We already heard that there was a phone call (!) between Bill and Tom that didn’t go well… if they break up, there were enough cookie crumbs along the way for a potential 30-for-30 episode.

Tom Brady switching sides to the Chargers to continue (and attempt to further legitimize) his legacy apart from Bill Belichick would be a riveting and sensical storyline all 2020. It would be especially intriguing to see which QB Bill will pick to replace Brady and lead his team. Belichick and Brady would be in a race to win a Lombardi without the other. I think most may underestimate the ego and level of petty involved here with two competitive living legends. If we can all stay inside for a bit, we may be in for some fire this year.

Below is my crack at how the giant game of QB musical chairs will play out across the league in this scenario (and my random notes). This may be the first year that I can remember where a lot of teams can end up with either a starter or backup who they believe in long-term. I made this list days ago, but when I saw that Ryan Tannehill signed, I decided to not let any more of my thunder be stolen:

– Philip Rivers to the Colts > (Brissett as backup + draft someone like Jeudy) Frank Reich worked with Rivers in San Diego.

– Ryan Tannehill back to the Titans > (Re-sign Henry and get rid of Mariota) Historic, deadly efficiency in 2019. If it ain’t broke… Vrabel knows Bill Belichick would be salivating to sign R.T. if Brady leaves. Next Alex Smith?

– Tom Brady to the Chargers > (Tyrod Taylor as backup + draft an OT) Focal point vs him going to the Titans as an ancillary part.

– Andy Dalton to the Patriots > (Stidham as backup and potential heir?) This fool has put up points in his career. Bill knows that and banks on his veteran savy to help stoke Belichick’s legacy apart from Tom Brady.

– Teddy Bridewater to the Bears > (Starts off as backup to Mr. Biscuit?) Window of prime defense could shut FAST in Chicago. He is a smart player who can compliment a dominant defense, protect the football and impress at times.

– Cam Newton stays with the Panthers > (For now? Traded when healthy?) Sam Bradford style trade when there is an opportunity? Grier, Allen-1yr contract. Tepper willing to play long game.

– Justin Herbert to the Panthers > (Backup to Allen and Cam for a hot sec) Rhule O great for spread QB? In perfect position. College to NFL coaches have wealth of knowledge from scouting and recruiting their first couple draft classes.

– Derek Carr stays with the Raiders > (Draft CeeDee Lamb) Gruden
finally gets the elite WR that he missed in A.B. that lets him test his QB’s worth.

– Jalen Hurts to the Raiders > (Backup to and competition for Carr) Gruden
would love this kid’s confidence, understanding of the game and leadership abilities. His 10 year contract let’s him wait on sunshine. Steez.

– Joe Burrow to the Bengals > Magical season.

– Tua Tagovailoa to the Dolphins > (Backup to Fitzpatrick until fully healthy) Their guy. Accurate thrower. 9 picks in 1st or 2nd rounds next 2 years, can make it happen.

– Jacob Eason to the Lions > (Backup to Stafford) Rumors of DET divorce.

– Jordan Love to the Buccaneers > (Backup to Winston) Too much alike?? Arians is the QB whisperer… wants Rivers, but will take “poor man’s Mahomes”.

– Jake Fromm to the Broncos > (Insurance that won’t hurt Lock)

– Marcus Mariota to the ‘skins > (Insurance behind Haskins) Brings the mobility that Rivera is used to.

– Josh Rosen to the Steelers > (Backup and heir after Big Ben’s final season) Let’s get this guy behind a functional O-line and see what ol’ boy can do! Rosen a major upgrade to the bummy QB play we saw from Pittsburgh last year.

– Case Keenum to the Browns > (Backup, mentor and stabilizing force for Baker) Stefanski connection from Vikings.

– Joe Flacco to the Bengals > (Mentor to Macaulay Culkin) Skinny’s revenge on Baltimore!!

– P.J. Walker to the Seahawks > (Long term backup to Russ?) XFL MVP. Yessah!