Why NFL fans should be supporting the XFL

 The NFL and discontent fans go hand in hand. The product can be better, and the XFL may be the solution. Competition breeds excellence! Cooperation wouldn't hurt either.

 We are only two weeks into the 2020 XFL season. Admittedly I have only watched three of the eight games so far. All three in week two. But I noticed during those broadcasts some things vastly different from the NFL that weren't just a gimmick. Something I feared may be a huge part of XFL just as it was in 2001. I also thought up an idea that could be benificial to both leagues.


More football, fewer ads

 The first thing I noticed is that I tuned into a football game and actually watched more football than advertisements. The joke that watching NFL, or even college football, is really just watching one big ad with some football sprinkled in is barely a joke anymore. The XFL and the networks involved have clearly made an agreement not to use every single break in play as a money making venture. I personally hope that this practice persists. After all I am here for football. I already know where my nearest McDonalds is. Hopefully fan reaction to this will encourage the NFL to make changes to fix the football to million dollar sales pitches ratio they currently operate with.

Pace of play

 I'll keep this one short and sweet, just like the time between snaps. The XFL's twenty-five second play clock is magnificent. Only two timeouts keeps things moving along nicely as well.

Reviews should only take how long?

 Some people like video review, some people don't, everyone hates how long it takes the NFL to execute one. I believe a huge part of that is being left to watch replay after replay, while a broadcast team tries unsuccessfully to fill the dead time. On the vast majority of reviews the appropriate action can be determined in a matter of seconds. Yet viewers are left re-watching the same three replays for the third or fourth time. On top of that there is no transparency in the NFL's process.

 The XFL on the other hand, doesn't dilly dally with their reviews. Not only does it take significantly less time, but we see the process, we hear the replay official communicating his thoughts. Even if it took just as long, the XFL transparent approach is far more entertaining.

 Hopefully the NFL is paying attention and taking notes.

Raw reactions

 I love the in game sideline interviews. Especially when a player or coach says exactly what we are all thinking. I'm not saying I want this in the NFL. But it's a unigue feature that will allow the XFL separate itself. It's entertaining and in the end, that's why we watch sports.

 What I wouldn't mind is more mice'd up players and coaches. Occasionally the NFL gives us some of that. They could still be picky about what they allow to be aired. But give us more.

 We know there are interactions between players on the field, and I bet some of them are hilarious.

 Plus this whole Mason Rudolph/Myles Garrett issue would be over by now.

Why not a minor league?

The XFL will never compete blow for blow with the NFL. The NFL is too powerful and has to much history to be superseded by any league. But the XFL could be a great place for late round draft picks or "project" players to test themselves while giving an NFL club more material to evaluate.

 If the NFL and XFL were to come to a deal that could benefit both it could be huge for the game of football as a whole. Grant every NFL club the ability to sign and pay for say three XFL contracts. Contracts would be exempt from the salary cap. Let the XFL determine where these players play. Maybe an NFL tie in draft. Or if they are already playing in the XFL the team they currently play for loses that draft pick. Just spit balling here. But it could work.

 Imagine the financial impact to the XFL if they didn't have to pay the contracts of ninety-six players. This would be no small thing.

Final thoughts

 This may be controversial. But I think the overall product the XFL is delivering is more entertaining than the NFL. Sure the on field product needs work. Some of these games have felt a whole lot like a mid season college football beat down. The players aren't as fast as or as talented as a whole. But some of the games have been extremely entertaining. If the XFL can stay the course it should only get better.

 My hope is that if the XFL has a good reception by fans, the NFL will take notice and fix some of the things the XFL is doing better.

 Plus it's more football. Who doesn't love more football?