“The League Stops Paying Attention To You”
May 26th, 2026
Team Glazer members and Raise The Flags co-stars.
When the Raiders and Jets didn’t get one prime time game on their 2026 schedules, Joe knew the NFL seriously turned a corner.
Both teams have big fan bases, but TV dollars rules the league. And that includes keeping networks and streaming services happy spending billions on NFL rights.
Owners want ratings numbers more than anything else. That drives the cash flow. A decade ago, the NFL insisted that every team get a prime time game. Why? Because it was good for growing the league and keeping every franchise relevant. That’s out the window now.
In addition to the Raiders and Jets, the Dolphins and Cardinals have no prime time games in 2026.
Buccaneers insider/legend/preseason game analyst Rondé Barber dove into the NFL ignoring teams during The Rondé Barber Show. He was adamant that no team wants to completely rebuild because it quickly falls into irrelevance.
“You don’t really have time in the NFL anymore to, like, start over,” Barber said. “The league stops paying attention to you when you do that. And we [in Tampa] don’t want to be that. From an ownership perspective, you want people in the stands, you want people to be energized by your team.
“…It’s an absolute trap. You get into that situation and the league passes you by. Like it just says, ‘Alright, next.'”
Joe heard Barber and wondered if was echoing things he’s heard about the Bucs’ interest in re-signing Baker Mayfield to a long-term contract. Keeping Mayfield might be viewed through that relevence lens in the bowels of One Buc Palace, as Mayfield certainly helps the keep the Bucs exciting.
Joe’s not saying Mayfield is unworthy of extension on merit, but the business side of things cannot be ignored.
Barber went on to say the Bucs are very relevant as they retool the roster.
“This is a team that can make runs,” Barber said. “Now are they good enough to go be best in the NFC? That’ll depend on how some of these young guys and some of the free agents take off.”
May 26th, 2026 at 10:53 am
As someone who has to get up early on weekdays i can honestly say i hate night games.
What is worse than a night game?
Staying up till 1am to watch your team lose a night game.
May 26th, 2026 at 10:54 am
Is it better to win or be in serious contention to win your division every year — or have a couple of really crappy years and get some high draft picks? In our case, the #1 overall pick (Jameis Winston) should have set us up for ten years but we actually had to get rid of him to improve. But (barely) winning the division then losing in the first playoff game is very unsatisfying.
May 26th, 2026 at 11:18 am
Having a competitive team is far better than a non-competitive one. One of these playoffs we will actually be healthy enough to go far.
May 26th, 2026 at 11:19 am
NFL is saturating the market. Diluting the product. This is a bad plan.
Also: You now need Netflix and Prime subscriptions. YT Tv to have Sunday Ticket. How is this good for fans?
Pigs get fat. Hogs get slaughtered. Baseball once reigned supreme. So did Boxing. If the NFL keeps crapping on fans with high ticket prices, ridiculous concession prices and making fans buy access to games, people will gradually lose interest.
College football has already been ruined.
May 26th, 2026 at 11:19 am
New team, new season. We’ll see how that goes this year. IMHO this O looks like it can produce 26+ points on average per game. The big reveal will be can the D hold the opposition to 20- ppg. If these things co-exist, all will be good. If not, it will be another frustrating season. Can’t wait until September!!
May 26th, 2026 at 11:21 am
‘you want people in the stands, you want people to be energized by your team.’
Retaining IBS as HC sends a totally different message!
They would rather lose with their ‘Buddy’ than to win with anyone else…
May 26th, 2026 at 11:33 am
A handful of new stadiums are being built and the Ray Jay simply doesn’t fit the criteria that the NFL demands.
I don’t know if the bones of the RayJay are suitable for what they have to compete with for a Super Bowl
May 26th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Both Baker and the Bucs have leverage and Joe’s article shows that.
As I have said previously, the sticking point in my opinion will be length of the contract offer it there is one.
In my view the various options the owners have revolve around the head coach position not the QB position. The QB position is out of sync with the HC position options. The owners could make a 3 year deal with Baker work. I believe Baker would view a 4 year deal as best for his career long term.
Will a mature Baker want to gamble on himself one more time and play out this contract ?
Time will tell and time is drawing short.
May 26th, 2026 at 11:50 am
How about this ? replace Browning with Johnny Manziel as backup and then at halftime every game have Manziel fight the opposing team backup QB in a ring set up at midfield ?