In the N.F.L., the Rebuilding Never Ends
Phase 2: Transition
A proper rebuild would start with the simultaneous hiring of a new general manager and head coach, who together search for a franchise quarterback. Unfortunately, a more typical rebuild starts with a new general manager waiting one year before selecting his head coach, who spends one year “evaluating” a lame-duck quarterback, who gets replaced by a rookie, whose early-career struggles cost the coach his job, with his successor spending one year sandbagging the general manager so he can hire an ally. The result is a self-sustaining cyclone of conflicting leadership agendas. For evidence of what impact that has on a team, see Jets: late Ford Administration through last Sunday.
Phase 3: Preparation
A franchise needs salary cap space and extra draft picks to overhaul its roster, so many rebuilds start with an estate auction in which veterans are traded to contenders for future draft picks.
The Philadelphia Eagles entered Phase Three in February when they traded quarterback Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts. The Eagles will spend this year eating ramen noodles while paying down over $57 million in outstanding cap debts, but having multiple first-round picks next year could make the sacrifice worthwhile.
Cap-relief transactions have become so common that fans of perpetually rebuilding teams often root for them in lieu of victories as a coping mechanism. We just lost 42-6, but we traded the linebacker with the $30 million contract for a 2024 sixth-round pick. Let’s throw a tailgate party!
Phase 4: Culture Change
Culture change begins with the baroque foosball table ceremony. If the incoming head coach finds such a table in the locker room, it is removed to signal that it’s time to get serious about winning. If there is no foosball table, one is installed to signal that it’s time to treat players like men. For some franchises, the equipment manager who moves the foosball table has greater job security than the owner’s son.
Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/20/sports/football/nfl-rebuilding-phases.html