It seems like the trend of NFL quarterbacks retiring is not going away any time soon.Recently, we’ve seen the likes of Andrew Luck, Philip Rivers, and Eli Manning decide that they’ve had enough and will call it a career. It really hits home when people your age decide they’re done playing the game.It’s almost like a reminder that with time comes life repercussions, and regardless of what we do, aging still happens.
As I sit here reflecting, I can’t help but think about why the most marketable positions in the league are retiring so early.There’s no doubt in my mind that the reason Philip Rivers and others retired so suddenly was because they wanted to protect their long-term health.Because of the physical demands of NFL quarterbacks, there’s a good chance that, if you stick around too long, it could cause you to be in pain later in life.
It’s really astonishing just how much physical pain and strain is on these quarterbacks. Playing for such a popular and elite sport, I’m sure they’re acutely aware of this pain, too. So, naturally, any time you’re in an environment where the long term health risks are so high, it makes it hard to keep playing.
I just want to sit back and watch what happens with the thinning of the quarterback talent pool. It seems there’s been a wave of change recently, and I’m curious how the teams adjust.I’m sure teams are trying to find their next franchise quarterback and fill the holes left in wake of so many retirements.
I can’t help but also consider the economics of it too.These retirements certainly make way for up-and-coming talent. But with veteran quarterbacks leaving, teams have to invest money into finding and developing young quarterbacks. They have to pay for expensive scouting, training and recruiting.
The NFL certainly needs to do a better job of taking care of their quarterbacks physically and mentally. A lot of times the pressure to “play through” an injury can be extremely overwhelming. Many times, players try to avoid telling a team about an injury until its too late. We don’t often hear about this side of the NFL, so I think it can be important to remember how much pressure there is, and how much pain can be put on a quarterback’s body.
Just recently, Aaron Rodgers stepped in front of the cameras and said he, too, was considering retirement.It’s certainly disconcerting because he is one of the most dominant players in the league.It’s a heavy blow to the Packers’ fans everywhere, but unfortunately it’s the way the game is going.
It seems like the trend of NFL quarterbacks retiring is becoming the norm. Players that have long been the faces of the franchises they play for are now saying goodbye.It’s fascinating to see how teams will adjust. With the loss of veteran quarterbacks, rookies will get their chance to shine.
It’s time to keep an eye on how teams are responding to all the changes.NFL teams are always looking for ways to stay competitive, and this puts them in a difficult spot. Not only will franchise quarterbacks have to be replaced, but the teams have to invest much more money into scouting new talent.
It’s important to be aware of the pressure that is put on players in the NFL.I know what it’s like to be on the playing field, with the crowd cheering and the pressure from the coaching staff to win. It’s a lot of weight that has to be stacked upon these players amongst other things.
It’s hard to not feel a little bit of sympathy for these players, as it’s clear that the demand of playing the game professionally comes with its own emotional and physical baggage.The league will need to focus on making sure the players are taken care of if they want to retain their stars and keep the talent pool full.