The NFL's recent decision to flex the Denver Broncos to a Thursday night game has left many fans in the Mile High City fuming. While the league's willingness to showcase the Broncos on a national stage is a welcome change, the sudden schedule change has undoubtedly caused inconvenience to those who had already made plans.
The 2022 season was a tumultuous one for the Broncos, with the Nathaniel Hackett-Russell Wilson experiment ending in disaster. The team's on-field performance was underwhelming, to say the least, and the duo's partnership was widely panned by fans and pundits alike. However, it appears that the NFL has finally forgiven Russell Wilson and the Broncos for inflicting that eyestrain on their loyal fanbase.
But while the increased exposure is a boon for the team and its players, it comes at a cost to the fans who have been loyal through thick and thin. Many had already made plans for the weekend, and the sudden change to a Thursday night game has left them scrambling to adjust their schedules. For some, this may involve taking time off work, rearranging family commitments, or even forgoing the game altogether.
This is not an isolated incident, however. The NFL's flex scheduling has long been a source of frustration for fans, who often find themselves at the mercy of the league's whims. Whether it's the NFL's desire to showcase a particular team or matchup, or simply to boost ratings, the fans often seem to be an afterthought. And while the league's decision to flex the Broncos may have been made with the best of intentions, it's hard to shake the feeling that the fans are being taken for granted.
In an era where the NFL is widely regarded as one of the most fan-friendly sports leagues in the world, it's surprising that the league continues to disregard the needs and concerns of its loyal supporters. While the Broncos' Thursday night game may be a welcome addition to the league's broadcast schedule, it's hard to see this as anything other than a slap in the face to the fans who have been left to pick up the pieces.
As the NFL continues to grow and evolve, it's imperative that the league remembers the people who make it all possible: the fans. Without their loyalty and dedication, the NFL would be just another sports league, rather than the multibillion-dollar juggernaut that it is today. So, while the Broncos' Thursday night game may be a welcome development for some, it's hard not to feel that the NFL has once again failed to put the fans first.