The sports world is not new to changes and dynamic shifts. Who can forget the defining era in the history of the NBA, when LeBron James did something out of the box? In 2014, he decided to leave the Miami Heat because he had a personal goal to show that he could win championships with different teams. He returned to his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. This move marked the beginning of player empowerment. Earlier, it was a kind of tradition that the teams would select their players and that’s it. No players opted to change their team after their selection.

However, LeBron being one of the greatest basketball players, did have some perks to fulfill his wish. And now, it seems the NFL is probably going to witness such a dramatic shift in the near future. And its commencement has already begun! From potentially changing rules to expanding the NFL’s global market, the league which approximately gained an average of 17.9 million viewers in 2023, as per ESPN, is transforming to welcome more thrill. But here’s the twist! Not only the NFL teams or the league itself, but the players also seem to emulate what James did a few years back, taking a page out of his transformation and empowerment book.

Is the NFL going to witness a new shift?

Will the NFL soon see players selecting their teams for themselves, unlike the usual method of being selected? Well, at least Deion Sanders is prepping up his arguably favorite players to do so. The Colorado coach recently appeared in the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast, where he mentioned his plans to influence the NFL draft process for his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and star cornerback/wide receiver, Travis Hunter.

Unlike the usual procedure, where teams choose players, Sanders wants to dictate where his son and Hunter will go. He expressed, “I know where I want them to go. So, it’s certain cities that ain’t going to happen. It’s going to be an Eli.” The Colorado coach referenced Eli Manning, who maneuvered his way to the New York Giants after expressing his desire not to play for the San Diego Chargers, who initially selected him.

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As per recent ESPN’s show Get Up, Robert Griffin III also discussed the significant change happening in the NFL. He mentioned a shift in power dynamics, suggesting that everyone involved must be prepared. He noted, “College coaches have been running to the NFL because they’re upset that the college players have a little bit more power and a little bit more say, well guess what? Those same kids that they’re running away from are the ones they’re gonna be coming up the ranks and coming into the NFL and the next few years.”

Griffin concluded, “I understand that playing in the NFL is a privilege, but that privilege is earned through my pay or through my play and the players right now understand that they don’t have to do the status quo. And they don’t have to sit here and answer to whatever they’re told to do anymore. Because what’s out the players? All of these sports leagues are nothing. This is the player empowerment aids and you’re seeing it come into the NFL.”

This powerful statement reflects how the forces in the NFL realm are moving in a different direction—one, that will allow the young players to confidently put forth their stance. Additionally, Griffin pointed out why this year’s top prospect Caleb Williams would be better off passing on the Chicago Bears. He made this statement as he believed the Bears still lack stability in the head coach position. Without this stability, Griffin believed that it is not an ideal situation for Williams, as he won’t be able to develop a good chemistry with the coach. Therefore, his advice for Williams is to avoid joining the Bears.

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So, let’s consider the previous instances of a player selecting their team, such as in the cases of John Elway, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Bo Jackson (who chose a different route of going into baseball), as well as Sanders’ plan, and Griffin’s belief. There is a high possibility that NFL fans would see a dynamic change in the team’s signing process, eventually leading to a profound shift across the NFL community.

But why is this a seismic shift?

Deion Sanders is aiming for his son and Hunter to be drafted by cities that he deems suitable, favoring warmer locations like San Francisco, Dallas, Washington, and Baltimore. He emphasized the importance of finding the right fit, as he experienced when he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 1989. Despite initial skepticism about Sanders’ approach, the increasing influence of college players due to NIL deals and brand endorsements could lead to more players shaping their draft destinations. And if this narrative is set into motion, there is no denying the fact that the NFL will witness a seismic shift.

While there have been instances previously where players have insisted on playing for a particular team, the kind of story that Sanders wants to draw will lead to a bigger and wider movement that could potentially drive this change in the NFL draft process.

Also, players like Caleb Williams might be at the edge of the coaching alignment problem (according to Robert Griffin III), albeit others could just be taking stock of the new media era that has established a multi-sided market in the league. They have expanded the reach and exposure of football sponsorships, increasing commercial opportunities for them.

So, winning the Super Bowl is not just a game-centric moment in the league anymore, it has also become a source of impressive finance and fan following. Therefore, with the power to choose, a player can land on their dream team if the team welcomes them, thus strengthening the roster. It is salient to note that although players can’t directly pick their teams, they can delay signing contracts to negotiate for better pay or push for a trade.

So, will the league see this change and players’ empowerment in a short time? Well as of now, it remains to be seen when the next player is going to hold out for their suitable team or who the player might be.

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Editorial Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EssentiallySports.