The NFL is no better at this point. Look at the biggest trend in the league right now. Teams are using massively underpaid quarterbacks on rookie contract like Goff, Mahomes, Wentz, Prescott, and Watson to build loaded rosters and make a Super Bowl run before it's time to hand out that $200 million contract. Add the 5th year option and multiple franchise tags to the mix, and teams have complete control of a player for 7 years in a league where the average career is 5 seasons. Then, somehow fans are led to believe that Laveon Bell is a greedy ******* for sitting out and wanting to get paid before his prime is over and his brain turns into jello.
I’m not buying the small market woes as much as you are. These teams can afford to keep these players for prime years. If they can’t, they need to get owners who can. This also prevents the yearly mistake of that small market team overpaying for a free agent to make a “splash” only to lose out due to past prime years and poor results. They’ve already had cities subsidize their stadiums. They are raking in money in media deals and MLB internet deals. Yes, I want to encourage more spending from smaller market teams who have no incentive to spend now. Not all young players will break the bank. If teams want to be ultra cheap, they won’t keep anybody (and likely never contend). If they get a core nucleus that they want to keep together to compete, they should pay more than they are now. While it’s not the NBA, it’s also not a league where you have to luck into the #1 pick to find generational talent. Teams that scout/draft/develop well and have talent that projects, end up getting a window... having to spend to extend that window shouldn’t be that hard of a decision if these owners want to be in the business of winning. They’re already going to make money, if not immediately, then with the eventual sale.
When generational/true franchise QB’s start getting let go, give me a call. RB’s are the most expendable position. Teams shouldn’t break the bank for them.