Part 9/15:
A broader NFL trend Baldinger discusses is the impact of quarterback contracts on team competitiveness. He points out that teams like the Bills and Bengals suffer when their stars are paid big second contracts, often leading to a loss of vital supporting players. For instance, after paying Josh Allen or Joe Burrow, these teams can sometimes become thinner, diminishing their overall strength.
He emphasizes that successful franchises like New England are able to maintain competitiveness by smartly allocating resources—spending wisely in free agency and drafting well. For example, New England’s current success owes much to a mix of veteran signings, intelligent drafting, and good coaching, allowing them to compete despite limited cap space.