Alright, a lot to cover here, but you have to let me rant for a minute.  As many of you know, I am a West Virginia Mountaineers fan.  I know this team wasn’t good enough to even make it to the Sweet Sixteen, I do.  But man, did they get screwed over by some of the most corrupt decisions in college sports history, as well as Indiana getting the short straw as well.  West Virginia was left out of March Madness, yet North Carolina, Xavier, and Texas somehow found their way in.  Baffling right?  Let’s take a look into the numbers for each of these schools and you tell me if Bubba Cunningham (Athletic Director of North Carolina/Chairman of the Committee) had anything to do with this-he did. He secured a $104,000 bonus for getting the Tarheels in the dance on top of it.  Maybe we should let Peebles High School Athletic Director be the chairman of OHSAA and get Peebles the easiest route in the dance every year, while giving him a bonus for doing so.  Works for Bubba, right?

West Virginia –  111/111 bracketologists had WVU in the dance, Wins over Gonzaga (Neutral court), Arizona (Neutral court), Kansas (at Kansas), and Iowa State, 6 Quad 1 wins, 0 Quad 3 or 4 losses, .500 in the Big 12, Defeated 4 ranked teams, 4 Big 12 road victories, 3 wins against AP Top 10 teams (most in the Big 12), 1 of only 30 teams to have 6 quad 1 victories.  And don’t give me the injury excuse.  Tucker DeVries hasn’t played since December 6^th before conference play.  Give me a break!

North Carolina – 27/111 bracketologists had them in the dance, 1-12 in Quad 1 games (Atrocious), Quad 3 loss, Beat UCLA (Only ranked team they beat), 13-7 in a very poor ACC, 13 losses…But hey, they almost beat Duke

Xavier – 30/111 bracketologists had them in the dance, 1-9 in Quad 1 games, ranked wins over Marquette and Uconn, 13-7 in the Big East. 

Texas – 50/111 bracketologists had them in the dance, 15 losses, 6-12 in conference play (WOOF), Wins over ranked opponent Mississippi State, Texas A&M, UK, Missouri.

Which resume would you want if you wanted to get in the tournament?  Do you think the Athletic Director of North Carolina should be a chair on the selection committee?  I didn’t think so.  Shame on the NCAA. 

Bags Secured for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins

At last, our beloved duo finally has reached an agreement with Chase and Higgins including: 4 year extension for Chase, $161 million, $112 million guaranteed (Highest paid non-QB in NFL history).  Higgins signed a four year extension for $115 million and becomes the highest WR2 in NFL history.  Never say the Bengals are cheap ever again, as they just forked up the cash and added tax!  However, this shows that they waited too long.  Nail the draft Cincinnati and start paying your stars early, while reaping the benefits later.  Prices don’t go down, Brown Family!  Be happy though Bengals fans, as this is huge.  Hendrickson, you’re next if at all possible.  Defense has some major holes that need filled and I expect the draft to be majorly focused on pass rush and secondary help. 

One Week until Reds Opening Day

With just a week and some change until Reds Opening Day, the excitement is building around Cincinnati.  This city is ready for some baseball and the city desperately needs a contender this year-and I think they will get just that.  However, there are some areas of concern as of late:

• Tyler Stephenson will miss some time with an oblique strain-Massive blow to the lineup
• Jose Trevino is day to day with a thumb injury, leaving us with Wynns should Trevino also miss time
• Spencer Steer will likely miss Opening Day, but Francona is giving him every chance to try and be ready come next week

Outside of this though, the Reds are relatively healthy and look to bounce back from these injuries fast.  Cincinnati is in a much better spot than last season regarding health.  Some notable players that will not be making the Opening Day roster this year include Noelvi Marte and Will Benson.  Both have struggled, although I can see Benson joining the team within a month or so of playing time in AAA, as I think he is a true Major League batter.  If Stephenson and Steer both miss time, I expect Blake Dunn to be given a chance to make an impact quick, with Hurtubise ready to get some major league time as well.  They both have been highly impressive this Spring. 

Reds baseball is nearly here and it is the most magical time of the year!  Well unless you ask my wife, as we visited Dollywood this weekend and she got to see Dolly Parton in the parade.  I guess I owed her for the years of dragging her to RedsFest, Reds Games, and Bengals games! Seeing her happy to see Dolly was worth it and I owed her for the amount of time she has spent in line with me to talk to players season after season!

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I didn’t want to have to rant about this and it is sad that it has gotten to this point, but the mismanagement from Bengals ownership has truly sent this organization on a downward spiral.  I’d like to stand outside of Paycor Stadium and yell “The Price will only increase” until one of them understands.  If Cincinnati would’ve acted when they should have, Bates would be playing for 12 million per year, Higgins would’ve signed for 23 million per year, Chase for 35 million per year, and Hendrickson for 25 million per year.  Prices aren’t going down and after the Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby signings, these players will want even more.  Now that Duke Tobin has agreed to make Ja’Marr the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history (never ever say that before a signing), we now are looking at 40+ million for Chase. 

It’s time to get the deals done, eat the losses that are a direct result of incompetence, and change the way this organization operates.  I love the Bengals, I really do.  Paul Brown was known as one of the biggest influencers to the game of football, but his family has failed to understand how to properly handle contracts and forming a roster.  As JJ Watt stated, “Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run.”  Never allow yourself to get in these standoffs year after year with your franchise players.  With that being said, I expect a deal done with Higgins today.  If not and if this team goes into camp with multiple players unhappy with contract situations, you can nearly bank on another slow start.  Now, there has been some good news as of recent, as Cincinnati locked up Gesicki and Ford, but it’s time to take care of our star players.  Easy for me to say though when it’s not my money, right?

17 Days Away from Reds Opening Day

With just over two weeks away from meaningful baseball, the Reds are in a relatively healthy position and I truly believe this team has a chance at surprising a lot of people around the baseball world.  Hats off to Meador, Krall, and ownership for everything they’ve done to get this roster to a point of truly being able to compete.  Francona is ready to make some noise and the city needs a quality year of Reds baseball.  This truly feels like the year that it happens. 

• The Reds announced the first 4 in the rotation to begin the year: Greene, Lodolo, Martinez, and Singer.  The 5^th spot is up for grabs between Abbott (injury), Lowder (injury), Spiers, and Ashcraft.  I’d feel a whole lot better if Lowder or Abbott filled this 5^th spot in the rotation. 
• If Steer is out, I think it comes down to Hurtubise or Dunn for that final spot.  I think they’ve both played well, but Blake Dunn deserves that final spot. 
• We have a true professional that will likely debut this year or next for the Reds in Sal Stewart.  His approach is just different than our other prospects.  He gets a lot of praise around the league. He looks major league ready.
• Chase Petty could find himself on the big league roster after a stint in AAA.  He’s finally coming around and is posting some impressive numbers. 
• I want to see Chase Burns on the fast track to the big leagues.  The 22 year old could find himself in a Skenes situation this season and I hope he pitches well enough to force the hand of calling him up early on this season.  He has major league stuff already. 
• Chris Sabo is the 2025 Findlay Market Opening Day Parade Grand Marshal.  This is awesome and I am hopeful for a Votto appearance in the future. 

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By Michael Davis, Missouri University of Science and Technology

If you live in the Philadelphia or Kansas City metro areas, congratulations: The fact that your city made it to the Super Bowl translates to about $200 extra in your pocket.

That’s right – whether the Philadelphia Eagles or the Kansas City Chiefs win the big game on Feb. 9, both cities have scored an economic victory. Research shows that making the playoffs alone is enough to boost personal incomes in the region. And if your team wins, you and your city will get an even bigger boost.

This windfall isn’t coming from increased merchandise sales, as you might expect. Instead, the key driver is happiness. A successful season lifts fans’ moods, which leads – indirectly – to greater spending and productivity.

Why winning pays

I’m a macroeconomist with an interest in sports economics, and my colleague Christian End of Xavier University is a psychologist who specializes in fan behavior. Together, we published two studies combining our areas of expertise: “A Winning Proposition: The Economic Impact of Successful NFL Franchises” and “Team Success, Productivity and Economic Impact.”

In a study using data from the late 20th century and early 21st century, we found that when a team goes from zero to 11 wins – the typical number needed to make the playoffs – its home region sees an average per-person income rise by about US$200 over the year, adjusted for inflation. We also found that winning the Super Bowl was associated with a $33 bonus, again adjusted for inflation.

When you multiply $200 by the 6 million people who live in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and the 2 million in the Kansas City region, it comes out to a whole lot of money overall.

It’s about happiness, not jerseys

If you’ve ever been to a Super Bowl parade, you might assume that the income boost is linked to people spending more on team-related merchandise. But research shows that professional sports teams usually have a small impact on local incomes.

Even hosting the Super Bowl doesn’t seem to do that much: Our research shows that people are better off economically if their local team wins the Super Bowl than if their local area hosts one.

So if people aren’t spending more directly on the team, something else must be going on. Our work pointed to two possible explanations – both having to do with happiness.

First, we hypothesized that happier people tend to spend more. And when people spend more, that money is returned to the population through wages, so people’s incomes rise. The key here is that people are spending more on everything, not just things associated with the sports teams.

Since the football season usually finishes in December, it could be that happy parents who are fans of the local NFL team are spending more on Christmas gifts for their kids. With the Super Bowl stretching later into the winter, loved ones might get nicer flower bouquets and more chocolate for Valentine’s Day when the local team wins the Super Bowl.

The other possible path is through increased productivity. Psychology research has found that happier people are more productive. So as the season progresses and the home team keeps winning, it stands to reason that people in the area will go into work happy and work harder.

Previous research backs up this idea. For example, a 2011 study found that when the home team in Washington performs better, federal regulators are more productive. In places where private businesses dominate the local economy – which is to say, most of the rest of the U.S. – an increase in productivity would lead companies to be more profitable, which could lead to locals having higher earnings. Even nonfans see benefits when their neighbors are happier, spending more and working harder.

No matter how the Super Bowl turns out, both the Philadelphia and Kansas City metropolitan areas have already won, as both fans and nonfans in each region stand to benefit from higher incomes.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Michael Davis, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Read more:

• The Super Bowl’s evolution from football game to entertainment extravaganza
• Ads, food and gambling galore − 5 essential reads for the Super Bowl
• Sports gambling creates a windfall, but raises questions of integrity – here are three lessons from historic sports-betting scandals

Michael Davis does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Feature Image: People celebrate following the Philadelphia Eagles’ NFC championship win on Jan. 26, 2025. Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty Images

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By Betina Cutaia Wilkinson, Wake Forest University

Back in 2012, quarterback Colin Kaepernick was one of the NFL’s most popular stars. He led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl and was just a few plays away from winning the title and lifting the Lombardi Trophy.

But America’s focus on Kaepernick’s athletic success waned in 2016. That’s when he began to kneel before games during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to protest the deaths of young Black men at the hands of white police officers.

They included Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two unarmed Black men killed by police in the summer of 2016.

“To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way,” Kaepernick said in The Guardian newspaper. “There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Kaepernick’s activism, coinciding with the reemergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, received varied responses.

Some NFL players, like Kaepernick’s then-teammate Eric Reid, imitated Kaepernick’s actions, generating a wave of anti-racist activism – not just in football but in other sports, too, like women’s basketball. Others, including several NFL executives, responded with vitriol and hate.

A recent study I conducted with colleagues Lisa Kiang and Elizabeth Seagroves examines American attitudes toward sports activism, providing insight into the stark responses to Kaepernick’s advocacy and those of other athletes.

Making sense of the varied responses

We surveyed 207 college students and 33 residents in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where I teach, to examine their views on racial justice activism among professional athletes.

We found there were three general perspectives.

One group supported the sports activism and tied it to changing the status quo. People in this group back athletes’ ability to serve as activists and role models, and they hope the protests generate meaningful sociopolitical change.

“I thought it was very necessary and good,” said one participant in the study, referring to athletes’ activism. “I think that if they can use their platform for something good, they should.”

When we asked about Kaepernick’s activism in 2016, these participants lauded him for his courage.

They felt Kaepernick’s protests, along with the Black Lives Matter movement, helped raise awareness of racial injustices in the United States.

Participants reject racial justice advocacy

Other participants in our study expressed support for athletes’ right to protest, but they rejected their racial justice advocacy.

They said athletes have the freedom to say what they think. And they tied the protests to the United States’ commitment to freedom of speech. But they disapproved of kneeling during the playing of the national anthem, labeling it as disrespectful.

“I think most of it is good. If you have a platform, you should use it,” one participant told us. “However, when misinformation is spread, it becomes bad.”

Several participants felt the conflation of the national anthem with protesting racial injustices was misleading and wrong, and this participant considered Kaepernick’s protest “misinformation.”

Kaepernick’s activism elicited similarly mixed feelings at the time. A majority of the public viewed Kaepernick’s refusal to stand as unpatriotic. Most, however, also supported his right to free speech.

In May 2018, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell barred athletes from protesting on the sidelines during the national anthem, but he gave them the option to remain in the locker room during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” if they preferred. The move came after players had protested racial inequality and police brutality for two seasons.

“We want people to be respectful of the national anthem,” Goodell said, according to ESPN. “We want people to stand – that’s all personnel – and make sure they treat this moment in a respectful fashion. That’s something we think we owe. But we were also very sensitive to give players choices.”

In June 2020, in the wake of George Floyd’s death and years into Kaepernick’s activism, Goodell apologized to players and reversed the policy, saying, “We were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier.”

But team protests varied throughout the league.

Some teams such as the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars, at least on one occasion, remained in their locker rooms during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Some teams acted uniformly with the exception of one or two players. Dallas Cowboys player Dontari Poe was the only person on his team to kneel during the playing of the national anthem.

The fact that not all players protested, and that teams had distinct approaches to protesting, is not surprising given the public’s varied responses to athlete activism.

Complete disapproval

A third group of participants in our study disapproved of sports activism entirely. And these participants often accompanied their criticism by saying that athletes strayed from their role as entertainers.

“I don’t think it’s good because it’s giving people a reason not to like a professional athlete when their job is to play a sport. They are not politicians and haven’t been able to prove they can make a change,” said one participant.

For example, when responding to WNBA player Skylar Diggins-Smith’s call for the imprisonment of the police officers in Louisville, Kentucky, involved in the 2020 shooting death of Breonna Taylor during a nighttime apartment raid, one participant said: “It’s not for the average citizen to call for police officers to be investigated. It’s just not OK for a professional athlete to push their agenda like that.”

Our study, much like other studies, found that people who are white, older and politically conservative are more opposed to racial justice activism in sports than their counterparts.

What does this mean?

As seen in our study, U.S. views toward sports protests are tied to the role people believe athletes should play in society.

For some, athletes can and should be role models; that includes by raising awareness of racial injustices. For others, athletes should only express their perspectives under certain conditions.

And yet other Americans believe athletes are performers whose only role should be to entertain.

Still, there’s no doubt Kaepernick’s activism changed the playing field, even if his NFL career suffered. After the 2016 season, he was never picked up by another team.

Kaepernick’s activism inspired people to attend protests and donate to political causes.

The NAACP has asked college athletes to avoid attending schools that are dismantling their diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives.

Coach Steve Kerr and All- Star Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors regularly voice their political views and draw attention to injustices.

Several sports associations – the NFL, NBA, WNBA and NWSL – have implemented social justice initiatives and councils that strive to mobilize voters and educate the electorate on political issues.

Colin Kaepernick’s activism may have ended his Super Bowl dreams, but his legacy extends far beyond the game of football.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Betina Cutaia Wilkinson, Wake Forest University

Read more:

• It’s the most American of sports, so why is the NFL looking to Melbourne for international games?
• Sports gambling creates a windfall, but raises questions of integrity – here are three lessons from historic sports-betting scandals
• Super Bowl ads: It’s getting harder for commercials to score with consumers

Betina Cutaia Wilkinson previously received funding from the Latino Center for Leadership Development.
Lisa Kiang works with Betina Wilkinson at Wake Forest University. Elizabeth Seagroves was Betina Wilkinson’s student during her time at Wake Forest University 

Feature Image: San Francisco 49ers players Eric Reid, left, and Colin Kaepernick take a knee during the national anthem before a game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 12, 2016. Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images for Panini

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While the Bengals might have a losing record, they certainly put together the most entertaining games week after week.  37 points for Cincinnati, 10 combined turnovers, and 25 combined penalties – but hey, the playoff hopes are alive.  What exactly is it going to take for the Bengals to make the playoffs?  A lot, but let’s dive in:

• Cincinnati has to go 3-0 over the final 3 weeks (Browns, Broncos, Steelers)
• Dolphins need to lose 1 more game
• Colts need to lose 1 more game
• Broncos or Chargers need to go 0-3

In the words of Lloyd Christmas, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.”  While I don’t think this team finds a way in the playoffs, I can promise you that no team in the AFC wants to see this offense squeeze into the playoffs.  I think a McPherson field goal or the 4^th down penalty against the Chiefs will haunt us in the coming weeks and bring this season to a close, but for now, let’s just enjoy being mathematically still in the hunt. 

Silent Reds

While other teams in the division are making big moves, the Reds have remained silent since the India-Singer trade.  The front office has made it clear that they are in the market for a big bat, but have yet to connect on a deal.  As teams begin to make trades and free agents find homes, names that come to mind in being a good fit for this club include Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernandez (not happening), Joc Pederson, and Jesse Winker.  Ensuring this team brings in a power bat is a necessity in order for this team to truly contend in 2025, as running out last year’s crew will not be enough.  Since Eugenio Suarez left the Queen City, this team has desperately missed having someone that can change the score of a game in one swing at any given time.  No more silence, let’s get this roster ready to go and not be late for the party and settle. 

Luke Waddell joins Matt’s Take

Loveland High School graduate and a player in the Atlanta Braves organization kindly joined Matt’s Take this week.  Luke has worked up the ranks in the organization and found himself playing AAA ball in 2024.  In his minor league career, he is batting .259, has impressive OBP numbers, and continues to make his hometown proud with his continued success as a professional.  I appreciate him taking the time to join Matt’s Take (if you need a tattoo in the area, go visit Jason Barnhart-Luke’s family, best in the business)!

Q: As a Loveland High School graduate, what is your favorite high school sports memory?

A: Well my freshman year our football team won the state championship so that was pretty special. Playing in Canton on the Hall of Fame field in the snow is something I’ll never forget. My favorite though was probably just my junior and senior years of playing all sports because it was the last year I was able to play with all the guys I grew up playing with. So many years playing with a bunch of guys in youth sports all the way into high school. It’s always my favorite to look back and think about all those memories with them.

Q: What are your goals for the 2025 season?

A: Just getting better every day. I can’t really control anything except what I do every day so I just want to be healthy and be able to play every day.

Q: What are you looking to improve the most before Spring Training?

A: Really everything. I want to be faster, stronger, quicker. I’m just trying to polish everything I can so I can be at my best by the start of the season.

Q: If you ever had a chance to make it back to Cincinnati, would have interest in the Reds organization?

A: Yeah of course. I can’t really control that at all but it’d be really cool to come back here. I remember going to games growing up and Cincinnati has a great fan base. Being able to be close to family like that would be really cool.

Q: What advice would you give young athletes in the Cincinnati area who want to follow in your footsteps of playing baseball for a career?

A: Just go out and play. I think sometimes people think there needs to be specialized training too early. When you’re young just go play baseball and that’ll help you the most. Then when you get older you can really specialize and train specific baseball skills but going out and playing will help the most.

Q: What is the most interesting baseball story you have?

A: Can’t really think of anything specific, but it’s been a lot of fun being on a ton of different teams. Meeting guys from all over the country. I’ve met a lot of great guys and have made a lot of great relationships that I’ll have forever.

Ben Verlander joins Matt’s Take

Throughout the baseball community, one of the most knowledgeable analysts in the game is certainly Ben Verlander. He is a Fox Sports MLB analyst, host of the Flippin’ Bats Podcast, former professional baseball player, and is the brother of Justin Verlander. Ben previously has made some bold predictions regarding the Reds in the National League Central and I was lucky enough to talk baseball and pick the brain of Ben regarding Cincinnati. Our Q&A is below:

Q: What is the biggest weakness of this Reds roster currently in your opinion?

A: I think the Reds weakness right now is in the Outfield. I think 1 big bat needs to be added to add depth to the outfield and their lineup.

Q: What were your thoughts on the Terry Francona hire?

A: I absolutely love the Francona hire. I’m in on this Reds team just as I was last year. But better health this year along with a HOF manager is going to be huge for this young team.

Q: Do you believe the Reds won the Singer-India trade?

A: I do believe the Reds won the trade. Although it can be seen as a win/win. But the Reds just ran out of room for India. And to be able to flip him for Brady Singer is huge.

Q: What are your expectations for Elly De La Cruz for the upcoming season?

A: Elly De La Cruz will continue to take another step forward in 2025. The goal should remain the same as last year. Continue to improve the approach and plate discipline. That will continue to develop and he will continue to get better and better

Q: What is your way too early, NL Central prediction for 2025?

A: My way too early prediction for the NL Central in 2025 is that we will have a 3 team race between the Cubs/Brewers/Reds. If the Reds can add one more bat they can win a very winnable NL Central

Feature Image: Ben Verlander and Luke Waddell. Photo provided

The post Bengals playoff hopes remain alive, silent Reds appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

      If the Bengals didn’t have a high powered offense that can score on any team in the league you would almost have to wonder if Cincinnati would have won any games this season. Of the 32 total NFL teams, the Bengals rank 27^th amongst all. For a team that has been to two of the past three AFC Championships, this is not a good standing.

      This past weekend, the Bengals were able to soundly defeat the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. Let’s not get overjoyed. The  Titans are not setting the world on fire. Former Kentucky Wildcat star Wil Levis may as well have gift wrapped the game to the Bengals. It’s almost as if Levis was a Bengal, as he tossed three interceptions and was yanked out of the game for backup Mason Rudolph. For once, the Bengal defense created turnovers and enough stops to send themselves to a 37-27 victory and a 6-8 record.

      A win is a win. All wins count the same, all losses go against you. Cincinnati defeated one of the NFL’s worst teams. No surprise. They absolutely should have left with the victory. If the team is going to go anywhere or do anything, they will have to do it without key defensive starters. Logan Wilson is already out for the remainder of the 2024 season with a knee injury. Starter Sheldon Rankins continues to be out of the lineup as well. The defense as a whole has underachieved all season and failed to stop opponents at key times. Even if Cincinnati does manage to sneak into the playoffs, which at this point is a long shot, the flaws of the defense could easily be exposed by the Kansas Citys, Buffalos, and Ravens of the world.

      It wont be a major secret as to what the Bengals will need to shop for on the defensive side of the ball in the off season. Teams have gashed Cincy running the ball and passing in 2024. Yes, it’s truly nice to have a top three QB and receiver in the league. The Bengals have invested a ton of money in Joe Burrow. They are about to invest a ton of money in Ja’Maar Chase. They will likely make a market offer to Tee Higgins. But please. Somebody remind the person that passes out the dough for the Bengals that at some point you have to stop somebody from scoring. You need players. Good players. If the team doesn’t make signing some top defensive talent in the off season or hitting in the draft, this team will be right back where they were in 2024. Hoping and praying a combination happens so they get in the playoffs. Or worse…Totally out of contention.

Feature Image: File photo by Michael Mitchell

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By Jill Jaracz

It’s a lucrative time to be an NFL quarterback. Teams are spending big money on multiyear contract extensions to lock in their signal-callers to long-term deals in hopes of having a franchise face to lead the way for many years. That means players who haven’t been in the league for long—including some who have yet to live up to expectations—can command top dollar.

Stacker compiled a list of NFL quarterbacks with a $200 million contract using data from Spotrac.

Teams increasingly look to the position as the most important factor in their success or failure. The league values QBs similarly—the last time a non-quarterback won the MVP award was in 2012.

To feed the constant need, teams have increasingly used their top draft picks on that one position. From 1976 to 1999, just seven of the #1 picks were quarterbacks. Drafting philosophies have completely changed since then—all but seven of the top draft picks since 2000 have been quarterbacks.

The focus on finding good quarterbacks comes as older, established quarterbacks retire. The generation of talent that includes Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, and the Mannings is all but gone, leaving a void that younger quarterbacks need to fill.

However, the desire to get another Peyton Manning outweighs the time it takes to develop talent. The pro game is faster and more complex than the college game, and only some college stars can make the leap. From 2011 to 2022, 38 first-round draft picks were quarterbacks. Their collective record was 1,034-1,035-7, per Fox Sports, and Patrick Mahomes is the only one in the group to win a Super Bowl.

Still, teams will take their chances because it’s relatively cheap to do so. Changes to rookie wage deals made it more affordable to select future stars—who, upon expiration of those initial contracts, look to cash in. Teams often pay up—in some cases, before a contract expires—to secure their players.

That desperation to get a franchise quarterback may backfire, as in the case of the Cleveland Browns, who, having gone through 32 quarterbacks since 1999, bet big on Deshaun Watson and made what’s considered to be one of the worst trades in NFL history. While not every team has made that kind of mistake, not all contracts have been victories.

You may also like: Who rules the sidelines? A look at the 10 winningest NFL coaches

Gregory Shamus // Getty Images

Jared Goff

– Contract value: $212 million
– Career NFL record: 78-51-1
– Approximate career value: 95

Though Jared Goff led the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl in 2018, the team traded him to the Detroit Lions in 2021 for Matthew Stafford. The swap worked for the Rams—they won the next Super Bowl—but Goff struggled with his new team, going 3-10-1.

That changed during the 2022 season, as Goff and the Lions won eight of their last 10 games. In 2023, he led them to their best record since 1991. Goff, a three-time Pro Bowler, finished the season #2 in the league in attempts, completions, and passing yards, and he led the Lions to their first divisional playoff win since 1991. Detroit looks like the best team in the league in 2024 and is the favorite to win the Super Bowl.

Carmen Mandato // Getty Images

Tua Tagovailoa

– Contract value: $212.4 million
– Career NFL record: 37-23
– Approximate career value: 40

Since Hall of Famer Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season, the Miami Dolphins have struggled to find a franchise quarterback, cycling through 26 starters. They’ve pinned their hopes on Tua Tagovailoa, who at #5 in 2020, was Miami’s highest-drafted QB since 1967. The results have been mixed.

Tagovailoa has suffered four documented concussions in college and the NFL, including two in 2022 alone. While Miami did make the playoffs that year, it lost in the wild-card round. He came back in 2023 to win the NFL’s passing title, lead the Dolphins back to the postseason, and make his first Pro Bowl. In September 2024, Tagovailoa suffered his fourth concussion, which had some critics calling for his retirement, but since his four-game recovery period, he’s been very good.

Stacy Revere // Getty Images

Jordan Love

– Contract value: $220 million
– Career NFL record: 16-13
– Approximate career value: 18

After two years as the Green Bay Packers’ backup quarterback, Jordan Love, in 2023, was called on to be the franchise’s next long-term leader, succeeding legendary Green Bay QBs Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. Love led the NFL’s youngest team to the playoffs, which his predecessors didn’t do in their first seasons, and ranked in the top 10 in attempts, completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.

Management rewarded Love ahead of the 2024 season with a four-year contract extension, but his stats have not been as good as the Packers compete for a wild-card slot. Love ranks in the top 10 in passing touchdowns but is in the top five in interceptions.

Nick Cammett // Getty Images

Deshaun Watson

– Contract value: $230 million
– Career NFL record: 37-35
– Approximate career value: 63

A three-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s passing leader in 2020, Deshaun Watson sat out the 2021 season after 24 women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct when he was with the Houston Texans. In March 2022, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns for first-round draft picks in 2022, 2023, and 2024—and he signed a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract, a record for the highest guarantee in the NFL.

Since then, Watson has been lackluster on the field and a burden on the team’s salary cap. He faced suspension for 11 games and was fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after those civil lawsuits were filed against him. Watson suffered season-ending injuries in each of his next two seasons and has started just 19 games in three seasons, throwing for 19 touchdowns with 12 interceptions while compiling a 9-10 record.

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Patrick Smith // Getty Images

Dak Prescott

– Contract value: $240 million
– Career NFL record: 76-46
– Approximate career value: 107

The first NFL player to make an average annual value of $60 million, Dak Prescott is the Dallas Cowboys’ franchise quarterback. Prescott was the 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year for his turnaround of the Cowboys, who went from 4-12 to 13-3. The three-time Pro Bowler has led Dallas to the playoffs in five of his nine seasons, though the team hasn’t escaped the divisional round.

Prescott won’t have a chance to get the team to the postseason in 2024 after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9. However, he should be back in 2025 to continue his rise as one of the top players in team history, as he ranks third in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns.

Elsa // Getty Images

Jalen Hurts

– Contract value: $255 million
– Career NFL record: 45-19
– Approximate career value: 59

Promoted to starting QB after his rookie season in 2020, Jalen Hurts led the Philadelphia Eagles to three straight playoff appearances, including the Super Bowl in 2022. Though the team lost to Kansas City that year, Hurts netted votes for the league MVP award.

A two-time Pro Bowler, he ranks #6 on the Eagles’ all-time passing leaderboard with 14,366 yards and #1 with a 64.2 completion percentage. After a 2-2 start this year, Hurts and Co. have looked like one of the best teams in the league.

Todd Rosenberg // Getty Images

Lamar Jackson

– Contract value: $260 million
– Career NFL record: 66-24
– Approximate career value: 93

Lamar Jackson has been one of the game’s biggest threats during his entire NFL career. In his rookie season in 2018, he became the youngest quarterback to start a playoff game (he turned 22 the following day). Since then, he’s led the Baltimore Ravens to the playoffs four more times.

A passing and rushing threat, in October 2024, Jackson surpassed Cam Newton as the #2 rushing quarterback of all time. He has also racked up three Pro Bowl nods, made two All-Pro teams, and earned league MVP honors twice.

Cooper Neill // Getty Images

Joe Burrow

– Contract value: $275 million
– Career NFL record: 34-30-1
– Approximate career value: 47

Joe Burrow’s rookie season ended with a severe knee injury in Week 11, but the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner came back in 2021 with a breakout season that culminated in the Cincinnati Bengals’ first appearance in the Super Bowl since 1988. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams in a 23-20 nailbiter, but Burrow netted the Comeback Player of the Year award.

In 2022, Burrow led the Bengals to the AFC championship game, but since then, the team has had trouble getting victories. While Cincinnati is all but out of playoff contention in 2024, Burrow is having a statistically great season, leading the league in attempts, completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.

Jamie Squire // Getty Images

Patrick Mahomes

– Contract value: $450 million
– Career NFL record: 86-23
– Approximate career value: 109

It’s hard to believe Patrick Mahomes spent his rookie year mainly as a backup. That changed in 2018 when he earned a promotion to the starting role and promptly took Kansas City to its first conference championship game since 1993.

With Mahomes at the helm, the team has been in the playoffs every season and won three Super Bowls. Along the way, he has racked up six Pro Bowl selections, two All-Pro nods, and two league MVP awards. In September 2024, Mahomes topped the rankings on K.C.’s all-time passing yards list, and the squad is again on track to reach the big game.

Story editing by Mike Taylor. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.

Feature Image: Bryan M. Bennett // Getty Images

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      For the first time in over a month the Bengals won a football game. When you look back at the 2024 season  it’s been mostly a nightmare. Ever dreamed you were running from a monster, and no matter how good of a hiding place you think you have, he always finds you? That’s Bengals ’24. Games ending the same way.   Cincy battling it out with (you pick the team). Game comes down to the last minute. A missed field goal, …a missed tackle, …a missed extra point, …something, ..anything from keeping the Bengals out of the win column.

      For once the game came down to the end and the script was written differently. It was the Dallas Cowboys who this time have to have the nightmare of sayin, “If we’d have just done this, we’d have won.” 

     The Bengals were in deep trouble against Dallas late in the game. Dallas partially blocked a punt. A Cowboy player made the unforgivable mistake of touching the punt that went right into the Bengals hands. It was the Bengals two best players, the usual suspects of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase that took care of the rest.   

    Burrow torched the Cowboy defense going 33-44 for 369 yards. Chase did his usual damage catching 14 balls for 177 yards.

     As sweet as the 27-20 victory over the Cowboys was, it still may be too little to late. Cincinnati is still on the outside looking in for the playoffs. Denver, Indianapolis, Miami and Cincinnati are all fighting for the seventh and final playoff spot. Unfortunately, Cincinnati has the longest odds of the four. Odds makers put the Bengals playoff chances at 3% to get in.  

     Remaining on the schedule are the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, and Pittsburg Steelers. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the 513 team. If a win would have fallen this way or that way giving the Bengals one or two more wins, they could possibly be on the inside looking out. On the other hand the Bengal defense has been gashed this season. The defense was even gashed against the Cowboys. Rico Dowdle ran on the Bengal defense for 131 yards. Cincy had no answer for him.

      Well, at least for one day, Who Dey Nation got a chance to see a Bengal ending they’ve been accustomed to seeing so many times over the past 3 years. The Bengals finishing with a win. When the team looks back on the 2024 season, the one thing they can take into future seasons is what NOT to do. 

The post On life support… Bengals alive appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

     What’s that song?.. “I’ll be home for Christmas,..You can count on me”..I’d have to look up who sings it. But that’ll be the story of the 2024 Bengals. It appears for the second straight year. Cincinnati’s season will end the night of January 5 after the Pittsburg Steeler game. Speaking of the Pittsburg Steelers, this past weekend the Bengals lost to them for the 71st time in team history. A final 44-38 score likely put a clamp on any post season the Bengals had hoped to be a part of. 

     The Bengal offense has not been the problem. The Bengal offense, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, has had no problem scoring on any other team. The line has been anchored by offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Brown has been solid when healthy. The big Bengal tackle has missed three games due to injury. 

     This time of year in Brown’s career he has had, for the most part, the playoffs to look forward to shining in. Brown started his career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. For three season, Brown Jr. spent time protecting two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson. He then went west to spend time protecting another MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion in Patrick Mahomes. At that time the Bengals needed a piece they could count on to protect QB Joe Burrow. Brown Jr. and the Bengals came to terms on a contract and the rest has been history. The problem is Brown has yet to taste the playoff success with the Bengals that he did with Baltimore and with Kansas City. As a matter of fact,..he has yet to reach the playoffs period in a Cincinnati uniform.

    It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone Brown Jr. has had this much success. In the late 1990s Brown’s father, Orlando Brown, spent time blocking Bengal defenders for the Cleveland Browns. Brown Sr. was involved in one of the most bizarre and tragic situations ever on a football field. As a referee threw a flag, the flag went right into the helmet and eye of Brown senior. The Browns lineman would have problems the rest o f his life with his eye. He would ultimately sue and win millions from the NFL over the incident.

     As for Brown Jr. He has carried on the legacy of his father. Brown was the two-time Big 12 offensive lineman of the year in college at Oklahoma. He has been a four-time pro bowler since coming to the NFL. Unfortunately, none of the accolades have come with the Cincinnati Bengals. Until the Bengals once again stand amongst the NFL’s best teams, players like Brown Jr. will be overlooked. Until then, all the mammoth 6’8,” 345-pound lineman can do is keep his man from tackling Joe Burrow, which for the most part he has done. 

Feature Image: Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has been solid. He is shown blocking a Steelers’ player in Sunday’s game here against the Pittsburgh team. Photo by Michael Mitchell, The Cincinnati Herald

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New week, same results and identical game.  The offense puts up an absurd amount of points, the defense gives up even more points, Zac Taylor still believes in his team, blah blah blah.  Honestly, I am glad we can all now come to the realization that playoffs were never going to happen and it’s time for ownership to see a downfall in attendance at the games and a downfall in enthusiasm from the fans.  The way this team has been handled since the Super Bowl run has been shameful.  Let’s dive into what has went wrong over the last few seasons that has caused this Bengals team to be nearly unwatchable:

• Letting Jessie Bates III walk and sign with the Falcons was a massive mistake.  The secondary has never been the same.  While you can’t keep everyone, Jessie Bates III should’ve never been let go.
• The front office letting DJ Reader walk and sign with the Lions this season was disastrous for our front line.  Another former Bengals star who the Bengals weren’t willing to pay, while thinking they could find someone on the market for cheaper.
• Zac Taylor is 11-23 against the AFC North.  Would anyone else have him as a head coach?  If the answer is “no,” and it is, then it’s time to move on. 
• Two year, 24.5 million dollar contract for Sheldon Rankins?  Woof! That could’ve went to DJ Reader.
• Geno Stone signed a 2 year, 14 million dollar contract and is the worst ranked safety per PFF in all of football.  Who in the world thought that would be a good idea?  Nick Scott 2.0
• Frank Pollack is long overdue for the call of being fired.  It doesn’t matter who is out there, the offensive line has the same problems year after year.
• Lou Anarumo, I know you don’t have much to work with.  I feel for the personnel that you’ve been given.  It’s no excuse though for the weekly disastrous missed tackling, terrible schemes, and weekly blunders.  Everyone on Earth knew Fields was running the ball to close out the game Sunday but your defense.  Goodbye Lou.
• 9 of the last 10 Top-100 draft picks have been used by the Bengals on defensive players.  How is the defense this bad?
• The team plays nearly the entire game in shotgun and then we all wonder why Mixon is thriving in Houston?  Maybe because they run an offense under center and keep the defense guessing. 
• Mike Brown, Katie Blackburn, Duke Tobin, Troy Blackburn, Trey Brown, and the rest of the front office have failed miserably in the handling of this team since the Super Bowl run. 

Reds Baseball to Ease the Mind

After a losing season from the Reds and a horrific season from the Bengals, it is now up to Terry Francona and the Reds organization to get this city out of this slump.  How can this team truly contend for a National League Central Title? Well let’s take a look:

• The trade for Brady Singer makes even more sense now after seeing the amount of money Montas just signed for with the Mets (2 year, 34 million).  Pitchers are at a higher premium than ever and I need forgiveness for my previous opinion on the Martinez deal.
• If Noelvi Marte doesn’t develop and if Candelario stays around the .200 mark with little power, the Reds have a real problem at 3^rd base.  This needs addressed.
• Cincinnati needs Greene to continue his dominance, Lodolo to have a healthy season, Abbott to find the endurance to finish strong, Martinez to be a true starter, Lowder to continue to develop, and health to be on the side of others on the pitching staff.  Brady Singer will also have to tweak his pitching to Great American Ball Park.
• Power Bat Wanted Signs should be posted throughout the city.  Will Benson and Jake Fraley aren’t enough to contend for a title.  Go get a power bat. 
• A culture change and winning mindset has to take over.  I think Terry Francona can lead in this department. 
• A few bullpen acquisitions need to take place preferably on 1-year deals.

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