The NFL's grand return on Wednesday night turned into a snoozefest, and fans are not holding back their frustration—directing most of their anger at Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The Patriots and Seahawks delivered a low-scoring, injury-marred affair that lacked any real spark. Sam Darnold and A.J. Brown both went down, and the game felt more like a preseason scrimmage than a season opener. With the league's decision to kick things off on a Wednesday, many viewers were left wondering: is this really the best we can do?
Social media lit up with criticism, with one fan sarcastically writing, "Nice product Goodell." Another added, "Goodell needs belt for making this the opening game." The sentiment was echoed by many who felt the league prioritized global expansion over fan experience.
It's no secret that the NFL is pushing hard into international markets. The Rams and 49ers are set to play in Australia on Thursday, which forced the season opener to a midweek slot. But ESPN's Scott Van Pelt questioned the logic, saying, "Wednesday, just 'cause you can? Yeah, this is, like, 'cause you can. Rams-Niners in Australia? For what? Because they like football? Great, they can turn it on."
Van Pelt went on to criticize the league's approach to scheduling, arguing that the NFL is diluting its own product by spreading games across every day of the week. "It's not that I don't love it, I just think at some point—and they've already reached the point—they've taken so many of the games that are significant out of the Sunday window," he said.
The NFL's commissioner's recent extension shows the league is committed to its current path, but fans are growing weary. The global push, including talk of international franchises, may be exciting for some, but it's coming at the cost of quality football.
Even the players seemed affected. The lack of energy on the field mirrored the lack of excitement in the stands, and the game felt more like a chore than a celebration. For a league that prides itself on being the pinnacle of sports entertainment, Wednesday's opener was a major letdown.
As one fan put it, "Goodell saw that snoozefest of a Super Bowl and was like 'yeah let's put that on opening night that'd be fire.'" The irony isn't lost on anyone. The NFL has a history of memorable moments, but this wasn't one of them.
If the league wants to keep its fans engaged, it might want to reconsider its scheduling strategy. But for now, the product on the field is speaking for itself—and it's not saying anything good.
