A matchup between the faces of the NFL's past and present makes for one of the most riveting Super Bowl matchups in recent memory. As the classic pocket quarterback Tom Brady looks to further cement his status as "GOAT," the more electric and unorthodox Patrick Mahomes seeks to assert himself as the league's most feared signal-caller from this day forward.
This Super Bowl matchup serves as a microcosm of a league awaiting a passing of the guard - a league with players such as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, Kyler Murray, and Joe Burrow primed to overtake Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Ben Roethlisberger.
But one factor differentiates this young crop of quarterbacks from their predecessors. While Brady and company played for powerhouse franchises such as the Patriots, Packers, and Steelers, each of the next generation's greatest quarterbacks plays before a fandom that ranks in the bottom half of the league.
Will football fans see a fandom transformation in which Kansas City, Buffalo, Baltimore, Cincinnati, etc. become top-earners amongst the league's historic brands? Or will the league see more quarterbacks follow in Tom Brady's footsteps by taking advantage of free agency to attain a situation that best suits their personal brand at their contract's expiration?
With Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford potentially on the move this offseason and a fresh batch of incoming quarterbacks primed to make their mark on the league, this offseason will be telling.
Mike and I discuss in this week's podcast episode.
We also discuss Connor McGregor's loss to Dustin Poirier as well as Eminem's "Higher" music video that serves as a crossover between worlds of sports and entertainment.
Listen here:
Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Register for our upcoming webinar with MELT CEO Vince Thompson here.