Why the Preseason Does Not Matter

Danny Etling (Image Credit: AP Photo/Steve Senne)

Much ado has been made about unofficial roster revelations like Bijan’s 3rd string placement or Baker Mayfield’s tie with Kyle Trask for the Buccaneers starting quarterback job, but one should not put stock in these things. 

The preseason comes with so much noise in the media sphere, noise that is not warranted.  Bijan Robinson still has to prove himself in the NFL, and the jury is still out on whether Kyle Trask or Baker Mayfield could be a franchise player.  To worry is to invite misfortune.

If any member of this trio fails to make their mark this season, they will get another chance elsewhere.  Baker Mayfield is still the guy who turned around a depressing Browns franchise, Kyle Trask is still the guy who sat behind Brady, and Bijan Robinson is still the highest drafted running back since Saquon Barkley. 

Baker and Trask are also white.  They’ll get a little more wiggle room when they play poorly.  They are not the players who fight for their lives in the preseason.  It’s the unproven, unanticipated, uniformed understudy unexpectedly unveiling one’s own untouchable unicorn unction. 

Unbelievable!

Danny Etling comes to mind.  Playing up to the highest competition in the preseason before being cut unceremoniously.  Phillip Lindsay comes to mind.  Leveraging a strong preseason to become a 1,000-yard rusher his rookie season.

Players on the fringe don’t make the headlines though.  They get cut.  They become quarterback coaches for Nebraska high schools.  They get fired for burning an effigy of their rival’s star linebacker. 

When the time comes for cuts this year, take a moment to remember the true heroes of American Football: The Losers.